T-test For Independent Means Research Articles

Organisational cynicism and self-efficacy predicting professionalism among teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria

The 21st century teachers have been affected by globalization, technological innovation and diversity in workplace thus affecting their professionalism. Teachers who develop unconcern attitudes and suffer neglect are likely to have their performance at work affected. Therefore, this study examined organizational cynicism and self-efficacy as predictors of professionalism among teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted while purposive sampling technique was used to select one Local Government Area for the study. Data were collected from 300 teachers using validated scales and analysed using t-test of independent means and multiple regressions analysis to test three hypotheses at a p < 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that organizational cynicism and self-efficacy significantly influenced professionalism among teachers. Also, organizational cynicism and self-efficacy jointly and independently predicted professionalism among teachers. Finally, organizational cynicism and self-efficacy independently predicted professionalism among study participants. The study concluded that organisational cynicism and self-efficacy are strong predictors of professionalism among teachers. Therefore, government agencies and other stakeholders should work together to improve teachers’ professional skills.

Effect of Brainwave Entrainment Using Binaural Beat Stimulation on Short-Term Memory

Auditory brain entrainment is a response to a rhythmic stimulus that increases the amount of a single brainwave frequency. It has been proposed to act as a key mechanism to heighten sensory intake. Auditory brain entrainment can be induced by listening to binaural beat stimulation. It has been shown that there is a positive effect on memory caused by using binaural beat stimulation. There has been research done on memory in young adults using binaural beat stimulation, but little in adolescents. Due to the lack of research on the effects of brain entrainment on memory in adolescents, this study attempts to show that a teen's working memory will improve after listening to a 40 Hz binaural beat for five minutes as compared to 0 Hz and 4 Hz. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups (0Hz, 4Hz, 40Hz) prior to the experiment. Participants completed the Sternberg Short-term memory test.The participants then listened to a binaural beat of their designated group for 5 minutes, after which they completed the second trial of the Sternberg Short-term memory test. The average change of speed recall and errors from no binaural beat to after the binaural beat stimulus was analyzed using a T-test of independent means. The results do not support the hypothesis that listening to binaural beat stimulation of 40Hz would improve short-term memory compared to 4Hz and 0Hz.

Perceived Social Support as Correlates of Posttraumatic Growth among Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

In recent time, Nigeria is confronted with a lot of humanitarian crisis which has caused a serious setback to people's psychological well-being specifically those living in the area where the crisis is intense. Hence this study aimed to examine social support as a correlate of posttraumatic growth among internally displaced persons in Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design was adopted and 126 IDPs were purposively selected by the researchers. Perceived social support assessment (PSSA) and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were administered to one hundred and twenty-six (126) Internally Displaced Persons in Agan internally displaced persons camp, Makurdi Local Government, Area, Benue state. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested using descriptive statistics, Pearson r product moment correlation analysis, and t-test for independent means. The results showed that the majority of the internally displaced persons representing 89.7% experienced low acuity of social support. The results also showed that there was a significant positive relationship between perceived social support and posttraumatic growth among internally displaced persons in Makurdi, Benue State [r=.313 df (124), P<.01]. This signifies the higher the perceived social support, the higher the IDPs grow out of their posttraumatic stressors or events. The result further revealed that there were no significant differences between the male and female experience of posttraumatic growth [t= -.628 df (124); P>.05], but there was a significant influence of age on posttraumatic growth [F= 2.804, df (6,125), P<.05]. Thus, it was concluded that most of the internally displaced persons received little acuity of social support as perceived social support proved to be positively correlated with posttraumatic growth. It was also recommended that the internally displaced persons particularly, those who were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder should be socially supported by the federal, state, and local government, Non-governmental organizations, private organizations, and host communities to help them grow out of their traumatic experiences thereby ensuring their mental health and psychological wellbeing.

Abstract TP49: The Pupillary Light Reflex Detects Large Vessel Occlusion

Introduction: The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is a well-validated biomarker for neurologic monitoring and a decision-making tool for traumatic brain injury patients. We studied a machine learning-based mobile pupillometry platform in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with a large-vessel occlusion (LVO) prior to thrombectomy, compared to healthy volunteers. Methods: Pupillometry measurements were conducted with a mobile pupillometry platform (PupilScreen) and a digital infrared pupillometer (NeurOptics) for both pre-thrombectomy AIS subjects and healthy volunteers at an academic medical center. To correct for subject age differences, comparisons used the absolute inter-eye difference in each parameter for each subject by measuring the right:left (R:L) eye ratio absolute distance away from 1. Inter-eye difference means across subjects between AIS and healthy cohorts were analyzed for PLR changes in the presence of acute LVO using a t-test for independent means. Results: Seven AIS patients (4 female, 3 male; 1 Hispanic, 6 Caucasian; mean age 60.9 years) and 32 healthy patients (19 female, 13 male; 1 Hispanic, 2 African American, 3 Native American, 5 Asian, 21 Caucasian; mean age 34.4) were enrolled. All LVOs were of the middle cerebral artery, with 3 on the left and 4 on the right. NPi value was above 3 (briskly reactive) for all subjects. However, the smartphone pupillometer demonstrated a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in mean inter-eye differences for maximum diameter (mean inter-eye difference of 0.14 vs 0.03), minimum diameter (0.21 vs 0.03), and percent change (0.23 vs 0.05). The mean inter-eye differences were lateralized to the side of the LVO for maximum and minimum diameters (right LVO, max pre vs post R:L 0.95 vs 1.0, min 0.91 vs 0.98) (left LVO, max 0.98 vs 0.96, min 1.15 vs 0.93), and were increased in latency and mean constriction velocity whereas they were decreased in maximum constriction velocity and mean dilation velocity, but this was not statistically significant in this cohort. Conclusions: Patients with AIS from LVO demonstrate inter-eye differences in PLR parameters, and mobile pupillometry could be used as a pre-intervention biomarker of AIS in future study. Further investigation in a larger cohort is necessary.

Teachers’ Teaching Capability in Urban and Rural Areas: A Comparative Study

In order to achieve excellence in teaching and learning, it needs stronger, skillful teachers with technical expertise. The study was conducted to compare the teaching capability of teachers in Urban and Rural areas. The study utilized descriptive-comparative and mixed methods of research, and it was conducted at selected schools in the urban Cotabato City division and schools in the rural, Maguindanao-1 division. There were 56 totals of teachers, both in urban and rural areas. Respondents determined using total complete enumeration from 1 to 6 English teachers and the principal of each school. A self-made survey questionnaire was used to gather data. Random interviews and observations were done to validate respondents' answers. Statistical tools used were mean to describe teaching capability and a T-test of independent means to determine the difference. The extent of teaching capability of teachers in urban areas in terms of teachers' teaching strategies was rated very satisfactory, and in the rural area rated satisfactory. Implementing classroom management in urban areas was very satisfactory, while rural ones rated satisfactory. The difference between teachers' teaching capability in urban and rural areas was not significant. It is concluded that teachers in both urban and rural areas were performing well, although there is little difference in the implementation of the task as their teaching capabilities. This recommends that teachers in urban and rural areas improve their teaching capabilities and give more effort to mold their pupils to become competent to face the standards at the next level of their education

Effects of a Nonviolent Communication-Based Empathy Education Program for Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

This study aimed to develop and examine the effects of a nonviolent communication empathy education program, based on a cyclical empathy model of self-esteem, empathic ability, interpersonal relationships, and communication competency for nursing students. Participants were first-grade nursing students from two different colleges in Korea. There were 62 participants: 32 and 30 in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The experimental group received six sessions of 120 min each. The sessions were based on nonviolent communication content and utilized teaching methods such as lectures, presentations, personal activities, group activities, role plays, assignments, and reflective journals. The data were analyzed with percentage, χ²-test, Fisher's Exact test, and a two-group independent means t-test using the SPSS 24.0 program. There were significant increases in self-esteem (t = 4.06, p < 0.001), empathic ability (t = 5.22, p < 0.001), interpersonal relationships (t = 5.14, p < 0.001), and communication competency (t = 5.27, p < 0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Therefore, a nonviolent communication empathy education program based on the cyclical empathy model is expected to be useful for the humanities and social education in a nursing curriculum. Furthermore, it can improve human nursing competency based on multidimensional empathy in clinical settings.

Effectiveness of Jolly Phonics Program towards Strengthening of Language Literacy: Experimental Case in the Philippines

The Programme for International Student Assessment result of being the lowest in reading comprehension is the main reason that compelled the researcher to conduct the study with the use of the Jolly Phonics program in strengthening language literacy. In addition, at the Division of Cabuyao, there is an issue regarding reading difficulties among Grades 1 to 3 of selected public elementary schools. Despite many strategies being applied, they still find it difficult to read and comprehend. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of the Jolly Phonics program in strengthening language literacy and test the hypotheses that there is no significant relationship between the performance of the two groups considering the results of the post-test in language literacy. There were two groups of participants in the study, the experimental group, who utilized the Jolly phonics program, and the comparison group, who were subjected to the Marungko approach. Each approaches utilized thirty (30) pupils from Grades 1 to 3, combining the sum total of 540 participating pupils for three selected elementary schools. The instrument used was the pretest and post-test validated by experts from the City School Division Office. A quasi-experiment research design guided the conduct of the study. A frequency percentage distribution, t-test for independent means, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were among the statistical tools employed in the study. Findings revealed that there was a significant difference in the performance between and among the participating public elementary schools (ES)for Grades 1 to 3. For instance, in Grade 1, it was noted that the performance of Banay – Banay ES was a bit higher than Butong ES and was considerably higher than that of San Isidro ES; In Grade 2, Banay – Banay ES topped in their reading performance compared to other two elementary schools; and In Grade 3, San Isidro ES at this time showed better performance, running over in reading proficiency the other two elementary schools. The action plan was proposed by the researcher of the study to strengthen the language literacy of the learners in the Division of Cabuyao

Trends in segmentectomy for the treatment of stage 1A non-small cell lung cancers: Does the robot have an impact?

ObjectivesLobectomy may unnecessarily resect healthy lung parenchyma in Stage 1A non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Segmentectomies may provide a lung-sparing option. VATS segmentectomies can be technically challenging; robotics may have features that provide advantages in performing segmentectomies. We describe the association of the robot on national trends in segmentectomies. MethodsThe National Cancer Database (2010–2017) was queried for patients with Stage 1A NSCLC who underwent lobectomies and segmentectomies. The proportion of segmentectomies vs. lobectomies and the proportion of robotic vs. VATS segmentectomies was calculated annually. ResultsThe proportion of segmentectomies increased compared to lobectomies for all surgical approaches but remained constant for minimally-invasive approaches. The proportion of robotic segmentectomies increased over the years compared to VATS segmentectomies.Descriptive statistics are reported as numbers and proportions. Trends in the proportions of lobectomies and segmentectomies were compared using Chi-squared test for categorical variables and unpaired t-test for independent means. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics Software version 24 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). ConclusionsWe demonstrate an increasing trend and proportion of robotic segmentectomies being performed in comparison to VATS segmentectomies. The robotic platform may facilitate the performance of more segmentectomies for early-stage NSCLC.Statistical Analysis

Improving the Academic Performance and Attitude towards Mathematics Using Jig Saw Strategy in Remote Learning

This study aimed to find out the effectiveness of Jigsaw strategy on Students’ Attitude towards Mathematics. The Quasi Pretest- posttest design was used. The main research instruments used in the study were the Attitude Scale Inventory and a 75- item multiple choice having a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data were statistically analyzed using mean, standard deviation and the t-test for independent means.&#x0D; Results revealed that a). There is an improvement in the attitude scores of the participants as manifested in the mean difference of 0.116 (posttest and pretest scores). Students became more homogeneous in their posttest as revealed in the standard deviation value; b). There is a significant difference between the attitude mean scores of the participants’ posttest and pretest; c). There is an improvement in the academic performance of the participants as revealed in the mean difference of 4.08. Also students became more homogeneous in their posttest as shown in the computed standard deviation; d). There is a significant difference between the academic performance of the participants’ posttest and pretest.&#x0D; From the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: Jigsaw strategy improves students attitude towards mathematics during remote learning; and Jigsaw strategy enhanced students’ academic achievement during remote learning classes in Mathematics.

Gustatory dysfunction and oral ulceration in COVID-19 patients: A cross sectional study

Over the past year, patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 presented with severe gustatory dysfunction, the prevalence of which varies among different populations. Furthermore, there have been sporadic reports of oral ulceration observed in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients due to varied reasons. The aim of this study was to investigate and characterize the presence of gustatory disorders, oral ulceration, and other oral changes in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection. In this cross-sectional observational study, a total of 402 participants who were detected COVID-19 positive by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were included. Their demographic and clinical data were recorded through hospital records. The participants were interviewed either in person or on the telephone to record any change in taste and/or changes within the oral cavity. t-test for independent means was used to compare mean age, while other characteristics were compared by Chi-square test and Z-score test. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. Out of the total sample of 402 individuals, 262 were male and 140 were female. The prevalence of gustatory dysfunction and oral ulceration was 43.53% and 15.67%, respectively, in the studied sample. Significantly more females had gustatory dysfunction than males and older subjects more commonly than younger. The symptom of loss/change of taste and oral ulceration were more probable to occur together. In addition, the tongue was the most common site for ulceration in our studied sample. Loss of taste is a common symptom of COVID-19 patients, whereas oral ulceration is not so commonly reported. However, the presence of both these symptoms could impair the quality of life of patients and hamper adequate nutritional uptake.

Primena kognitivno-lingvističkog pristupa u nastavi predloga u poslovnom engleskom jeziku - studija slučaja

The paper sets out to investigate the potential advantages of applying insights from the field of cognitive linguistics to teaching prepositions in business English over an approach relying on the traditional linguistic framework. For the study, three of the English prepositions were chosen: to, for, and at. Study participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group, which received a cognitive treatment of the three prepositions; and a control group, which received an instruction relying on traditional accounts. The participants were administered three tests in total: a pretest, an immediate posttest, and a delayed posttest. Their scores were taken on all three tests and then compared within each group and between the groups. To calculate the results, descriptive statistics, t-test of independent means and one-way ANCOVA were used. Grounding the expected results in expert literature, it was anticipated to obtain the results indicative of the advantage of the cognitive approach. According to the study results, the experimental group outperformed the control group at all levels of statistical analysis. The results suggest that a strategic incorporation of a cognitive view of the structure of language into the foreign language classroom could facilitate better understanding, more effective learning and long-term retention of the language points taught.

Norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities in Catalonia from 2017 to 2018

Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of acute viral gastroenteritis. We carried out this study to investigate outbreaks in long-term care facilities reported in 2017 and 2018 in Catalonia (Spain). The characteristics of the centers, exposed persons and the genogroups responsible were analyzed. Viral loads were estimated. The attack rate (AR) of the outbreaks studied, and the rate ratio (RR) and the odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals as measures of association were calculated. The mean cycle thresholds were compared using the t-test for independent means. We included 30 outbreaks (4631 exposed people). The global AR was 25.93%. The RR of residents vs. staff was 2.28 (95% CI 2.0–2.6). The RR between AR in residents with total or severe dependence vs. residents with moderate, low or no-dependence was 1.23 (95% CI 1.05–1.45). The AR were higher in smaller centers than in larger ones (38.47% vs. 19.25% and RR 2; 95% CI 1.82–2.2). GII was responsible for 70% of outbreaks. No association was found between the genogroup and presenting symptoms (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.41–2.26). Viral loads were higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.001).

Improving the Quality of Venous Blood Sampling Procedure (Phlebotomy): Avoiding Tourniquet Use.

Background Phlebotomy guidelines discourage tourniquet use whenever possible. We assessed phlebotomists' capability of not using the tourniquet in venous blood sampling, hypothesizing it to be equal to 50% of the patients attended, and identifying the most frequent venipuncture site. Materials and Methods We assigned two phlebotomists of the same age (41 years) and experience (20 years) to record 10 phlebotomy days, the first with prioritized and the latter with nonprioritized patients. Each acquired daily data for the number of attended patients, age, gender, frequency of nontourniquet usage, and punctured vein. To test our work hypothesis we used the two-tailed single sample t -test. Differences between age-group means and nontourniquet use means by each phlebotomist were tested by two-tailed t -test for independent means. Results In 10 phlebotomy days, 683 patients were attended (males 43.2%). We found no statistically significant difference between age-group means. The combined capability of nontourniquet use was 50.5%, which did not differ from our null hypothesis, but the difference in individual group means was statistically significant, the means being 33% and 66.9% (prioritized vs. nonprioritized). The medial cubital vein was the most prone to be punctured (77.7%). Conclusion Performing phlebotomies without tourniquet was possible in at least half of the attended patients, though it was more limited in specific group populations.

Ethical consumer practices of senior high school students of selected public and private schools in District 1 Tondo Manila

This study was conducted to assess the ethical consumer practices of selected public and private senior high school of district 1 Tondo, Manila in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. After assessing this, a proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject was formulated. This study used purposive sampling in the selection of schools participants, while convenience sampling for students as respondents in gathering data and information needed for the study and collecting data among the selected senior high schools in district 1 Tondo, Manila. In the construction of the questionnaire, the researcher adopts and translate a validated research instrument with the permission of the original owner. The researcher sought the assistance among experts and master teachers coming from different schools to check tagalog translation and validation of the research instrument. Letter of request sent to the division’s office and principal of the school for the administration of the survey. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to avoid problems that may occur. This study found out that students seldom practiced ethical consumer practices in public senior high school while students from private senior high school sometimes practice ethical consumer practices in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness. It is evidently implied with their answers in the survey. Through T-test of independent means, it was revealed that there is a significant difference on the assessment between the public and private senior high school students in ethical consumer practices because the assessment showed the extensiveness of the difference in terms of ecological consciousness and social consciousness of both public and private schools students. Furthermore, they need to strengthen their practices. A proposed strategic learning plan for applied economics subject specifically in consumption topic was formulated based from the findings of the study.

Role of free radicals and antioxidants in cervical cancer in southern part of Rajasthan

Introduction: Present study is conducted to measure the role of free radicals malondialdehyde and vitamin-C and vitamin-E in cervical cancer women in southern part of Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: Total 80 cases and controls were taken and level of MDA were determined by the Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test which is the colorimetric reaction of MDA and TBA in acid solution. Vitamin C was determined by the method of Natelson, (1971). Vitamin E was determined by Baker and Frank method. Results: The serum level of malondialdehyde, vitamin-C and vitamin-E level in cervix cancer patients and controls using paired t-test for independent means and found that a statistically significant difference exist between case and controls. Conclusion: Present study concluded that serum levels of vitamin C and vitamin E decreases and level of MDA increases in cervix cancer patients. So the serum levels of these micronutrients as a marker in early diagnosis of cervix cancer as adjuvant to other methods as well as by providing supplementation of these micronutrients. Keywords: Cervix carcinoma, Malondialdehyde, Oxidative stress, Polyunsaturated fatty acid, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, Antioxidant vitamins.

Issues, Perceptions, and Challenges of Amalgamation in Higher Education Institutions in Calabarzon: Quality School Management Strategic Plan

This quantitative survey described the occurring scenario among higher educational institutions having amalgamation as one of the strategies in rationalizing the Philippine higher education. The study dealt with the perceptions, issues, and perceived challenges of 90 administrators and 260 instructors/professors concerning amalgamation in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) among the selected state universities and colleges in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) during the Academic Year 2017-2018. A researcher-constructed questionnaire served to gather the data. Weighted mean and ttest for independent means were employed to determine the differences on the perceptions of the respondents at 0.05 level of significance. Results indicated that the administrator-respondents were more aware of the idea of amalgamation than the instructor/professor-respondents. The respondents agreed in most of the items about amalgamation of HEI along access and equity, efficiency and effectiveness, relevance and responsiveness, utilization of resources, and quality and excellence. As to the issues on amalgamation, the administrators comparably perceived serious issues on amalgamation practices that needed urgent action such as delivery of projected student number, plans to meet financial and strategic goals, blueprint for the merged entity, governance and organization structure during the pre-merger phase, governance and organization structure during the transitional phase, quality assurance, and employees’ rights. A significant difference was found between the perception of the administrator- and instructor/professor-respondents towards the issues on amalgamation practices in terms of access and equity, efficiency and effectiveness, utilization of resources, quality and excellence, and blueprint of the merged entity.

Modified Bingo Chromosome Game: An Innovative Approach in Teaching Biology

Recently there has been increasing interest in the use of instructional games because of their applied; and dynamic nature can heighten the learner’s motivation and interest more effectively than classroom lectures. This study utilized the descriptive-quantitative research design particularly the one-group pretest-posttest design to determine the acceptability and effectiveness of Modified Bingo Chromosome game in teaching the topic Chromosomal Identification. Modified Bingo chromosome is a teaching tool designed to fully understand the seven groups of chromosomes in a form of a game. It aimed to teach students in arranging and matching the correct pair of chromosomes through an interactive game. The participants were purposely selected considering that they should be enrolled in a science subject with a topic Chromosome Banding in the syllabus. Thirteen Ph. D. in Science Education students were taught the topic Chromosomal Identification using the teaching tool developed during the first validation and twenty Bachelor of Secondary Education students for the second validation. The pre-test and post-test results were subjected to t-test of independent means to determine whether the treatment was effective or not. The t-values (t=-2.25; p<0.05 and t=-5.97; p<0.05) showed that there was a significant difference in the pre-test and post-test of the students. It can be concluded therefore that Modified Bingo Chromosome is an effective tool for teaching Chromosomal Identification. Hence, it is recommended that this additional tool be implemented for teaching the topic to students.

DISPARITY IN CREATIVE ABILITIES AMONG RURAL AND URBAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DIBRUGARH DISTRICT OF ASSAM

Purpose of the Study: This study investigated the creative abilities of students from rural and urban secondary schools in terms of their fluency, flexibility, originality, inquisitiveness, and persistency. Methodology: The research design used here is quantitative with the type of descriptive survey method. The research subjects were 720 secondary school students selected through disproportionate stratified random sampling. The research instrument used is the Passi Test of Creativity (verbal &amp; non-verbal). The analysis techniques employed are descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in the form of independent means t-test. Main Findings: The study revealed that rural and urban Secondary level school students have significant differences in their creativity. However, concerning the inquisitiveness dimension of creativity, the study reported no significant difference between the rural and urban Secondary level school students. Applications of this Study: This research can be used as input for the schools and teachers at the secondary level to consider the practice of offering a more stimulating environment to students hailing from rural backgrounds. This research can also be used as input in the facilitation of students’ creative abilities. Novelty/Originality of this Study: The teachers, educators, and school authorities, especially at Secondary level of Education; are suggested to offer more exposures and stimulating environments to students belonging to the rural backgrounds. The study examined for the first time the rural-urban disparity among secondary level school students on the dimensions of creativity such as inquisitiveness and persistence, especially in north-east India.

Science Teachers’ Successes and Challenges in Implementing Lesson Study in Junior High Schools in Fukuyama City, Japan

This paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of Lesson Study among junior high school science teachers in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan. Using the descriptive-survey research design to the two groups (young teachers and veteran teachers) of all the junior high school science teachers in Fukuyama City, assessment on the successes and challenges on Lesson Study was carried out. A survey questionnaire was used to assess the three categories namely professional development, administrative support, and team cooperation among the teachers, in the implementation of Lesson Study and the deep views and opinions were probed using open-ended questions. Using the Average Weighted Mean, it was found out that science teachers achieved successes or advantages in terms of professional development, administrative support, and team cooperation. However, the challenge faced by teachers in the implementation of Lesson Study is the availability of time and the category on students’ attitude was perceived as neutral which is neither advantageous nor disadvantageous in the implementation of Lesson Study. The t-test of independent means made on the relevant data of the two groups bears no significant difference. This implies that young teachers or those with teaching experience of less than 10 years and veteran teachers or those with teaching experience of 10 years and above are of equal variances in terms of their successes and challenges in Lesson Study. Lesson Study should be promoted and implemented regularly in all schools at all levels from Elementary to College. Further similar study on a bigger scale could be conducted to establish the reliability of the study.

Characterizing the Prevalence of Cam-Type Hip Impingement in Professional Women’s Ice Hockey Players

BackgroundRecent studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in elite men’s ice hockey players, yet little is known about the hips of elite women’s ice hockey players.PurposeThe primary purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of radiographic cam-type FAI in professional women’s ice hockey players in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). The secondary purpose was to analyze the relationship between the presence of cam deformity and both hip range-of-motion (ROM) and age of menarche.MethodsClinical, radiographic and demographic data were collected during player pre-participation physicals. ROM measurements were performed with a goniometer. Alpha angles were measured on 45° Dunn radiographs, with alpha angles >55° defined as cam-positive (Figure 1). Measurements were performed 3 separate times by 4 investigators. One-way ANOVA, independent means t-test and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.ResultsTwenty-six female athletes were included. Average menarchal age was 13.8 ±1.5 years. 24 (92%) had alpha angles >55°; 20 (77%) had bilateral cam deformity. Inter-rater reliability was excellent at 0.86. Intra-rater reliability was also excellent, with mean ICC=0.87 (range= 0.82-0.90 for each rater). There was a significant positive association between age of menarche and alpha angle (p<0.02, Figure 2). There was no association between alpha angle and hip ROM.ConclusionElite female ice hockey players have a higher prevalence of cam morphology than the general population. The positive association between alpha angle and age of menarche supports the etiological hypothesis of the cam lesion resulting from activity-related stress at the proximal femoral physis during a period of physiologic vulnerability. Professional women’s ice hockey players have a high risk of developing cam morphology of the proximal femur, although each player’s age of menarche may mediate her individual risk for cam lesion development.Figure 1.Figure 2.