Laboratory Activities Research Articles

Use of QR Codes to Enhance Learning in a Graduate-Level Clinical Course

AbstractTeaching health professions at the graduate level often involves instructors guiding students through active learning labs for the practical application of content. Clinical courses may necessitate covering a substantial amount of information, requiring instructors to adopt efficient and effective teaching methods to maximize lab time. In a Master of Occupational Therapy Program, students were observed being off-task and disengaged with provided materials during group work in active learning labs. In response to this, Quick Response (QR) codes were introduced as a strategy to enhance self-directed learning and maintain focus on tasks while the instructor offered supplemental assistance as needed. A Microsoft Form survey was administered after classes to assess the effectiveness of QR codes as a technology-supported instructional method and gather students’ perceptions. The survey results overwhelmingly indicated that students were receptive to using QR codes and found them helpful in facilitating learning and maintaining attention during lab activities.

Unconventional free fall measurements of g: involving the Pythagorean Theorem and inverse tangent function

Abstract The current work presents unconventional but instructionally useful approaches to data analysis and modelling that allow for measurements of the acceleration due to gravity, g, using free-falling motion and the popular Tracker software. The two techniques detailed in this article illustrate the employability of the Pythagorean Theorem and the inverse tangent function in modelling free-falling motion that likewise, expectedly, permit for the determination of g. These two mathematical concepts are brought to relevance by strategically situating the origin of the coordinate system at an appropriate point. The models returned values of the gravitational acceleration that are comparable to that by the traditional technique, the one directly based on the vertical position-time data. Additionally, the unconventional free-fall data analyses presented in this paper suggest extra and insightful activities for the students, exercises on a notably less-automated nonlinear curve fitting on a spreadsheet (MS Excel) at most. Ultimately, by applying familiar mathematical concepts associated with a right triangle to nontraditional contexts like free-fall, this laboratory or lecture activity is perceived to spark greater interest of the students and enhance learning by unifying theory and experimental data.

Effect of using multimedia and dynamic classroom integrated instruction on grade 11 students’ biology academic achievement

This study investigated the effects of multimedia and dynamic classroom integrated instruction (DCII) on students' academic achievement in two biology topics, i.e., respiration and photosynthesis. A non-equivalent, quasi-experimental design with a mixed research approach was employed. A total of 94 secondary school students participated in the study. Data were collected using biology achievement tests, classroom observations, and focus group discussions. The data was analyzed using paired and independent sample t-tests, repeated measure analysis of variance, and thematic analysis. Using the Kuder Richardson −20 (KR-20) formula, the calculated reliability coefficient of the BAT was .78. The results revealed that in the pretest and posttests, there was a statistically significant difference in biology achievement within the experimental group (t 47 = −17.461, p = .000) and in the posttest between the comparison and the experimental group (t 92 = 5.39, p = .000). Multimedia and DCII is a crucial factor that significantly enhanced academic performance between pretest and posttest scores (time effect), regardless of learning style. Still, there is no significant score difference between the three learning style groups, irrespective of time, and does not interact with each other. In conclusion, multimedia and DCII address the needs of diversified classroom learners, create a more active learning environment, simplify complex content, make the classroom busy, buffer educational inequality between learners, and replace unpractical lab activities. Mainly for abstract content, implementing systematic multimedia-based pedagogy can enhance students’ achievement.

Assessing ChatGPT for GIS education and assignment creation

ABSTRACT ChatGPT, an AI software, has rapidly gained popularity for a wide variety of applications, including educational uses. This research explores the use of ChatGPT to supplement Geographical Information Systems (GIS) coursework creation, to help educators with little experience in GIS. Visualizing sea level rise (SLR) and quantifying the extent of inundated areas under varying SLR scenarios is a common GIS lab activity requiring numerous and sequential software steps. We prompted ChatGPT 3.5 to generate its own version of instructions for a lab assignment to produce two deliverables: 1) a map displaying the extent of inundation under three different SLR scenarios and 2) a data table showing the amount of land inundated in each scenario. The initial ChatGPT instructions were inadequate and following them produced incorrect and incomplete results. However, by refining the prompt and increasing data training, we found that ChatGPT could yield better results for GIS assignment creation applications.

Challenging Misconceptions about Race in Undergraduate Genetics.

Racial biases, which harm marginalized and excluded communities, may be combatted by clarifying misconceptions about race during biology lessons. We developed a human genetics laboratory activity that challenges the misconception that race is biological (biological essentialism). We assessed the relationship between this activity and student outcomes using a survey of students' attitudes about biological essentialism and color-evasive ideology and a concept inventory about phylogeny and human diversity. Students in the human genetics laboratory activity showed a significant decrease in their acceptance of biological essentialism compared with a control group, but did not show changes in color-evasive ideology. Students in both groups exhibited increased knowledge in both areas of the concept inventory, but the gains were larger in the human genetics laboratory. In the second iteration of this activity, we found that only white students' decreases in biological essentialist beliefs were significant and the activity failed to decrease color-evasive ideologies for all students. Concept inventory gains were similar and significant for both white and non-white students in this iteration. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of addressing misconceptions about the biological origins of race and encourage more research on ways to effectively change damaging student attitudes about race in undergraduate genetics education.

Virtual Laboratories in STEM

Virtual laboratory utilization has been trending in STEM undergraduate curricula for over twenty years. A virtual laboratory is an interactive computer simulation that mimics real-world laboratory experiences in silico. Virtual labs are cost-effective pedagogical options for academic institutions that lack adequate funding for physical infrastructure and instrumentation. Virtual labs are an excellent proxy for lab activities threatening individual safety and public health. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual labs were the primary pedagogical strategy for laboratory instruction. STEM faculty have developed numerous techniques for incorporating virtual labs into classroom and laboratory activities. New technology like artificial intelligence will expand virtual lab usability and effectiveness. Educational research demonstrates positive student outcomes and other benefits from virtual lab engagement. Continued effective mixed-methods research and production of essential virtual lab-based evaluation materials, such as discipline-specific rubrics, are needed to advance the application of this vital technology further. Moreover, from a software development perspective, many more virtual laboratories are needed in technology, engineering, mathematics, and specialized scientific fields.

COMPARATIVE LABORATORY ACTIVITY AND SEMI-FIELD EFFICACY OF OMNIPRENE® G AND ALTOSID® PELLETS AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI.

Mosquito larval control by biorational larvicides plays a crucial role in mosquito and mosquito-borne disease management. However, the availability of larvicides that meet the criteria of efficacy, safety, and quality is limited and conventional pesticides are no longer preferred for larval control. Although efforts are made to research new active ingredients (AIs), it is equally important to innovate new formulations based on currently available AIs such as microbial agents and insect growth regulators. Studies were therefore conducted to compare the laboratory activity and semi-field efficacy of OmniPrene® G and Altosid® Pellets with DR-tech, both containing 4.25% S-methoprene, at 2.8 kg/ha and 11.2 kg/ha against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) in outdoor microcosms. Both products performed equally in bioassays against the test species with comparable inhibition of emergence activities. In the semi-field study, the lower dose of Altosid Pellets at 2.8 kg/ha, showed lower efficacy than OmniPrene G during the initial 6 weeks; this difference became negligible on week 7, followed by higher efficacy in Altosid Pellets on weeks 8 and 9. More uniform efficacy was observed at the higher dose of 11.2 kg/ha. Equal performance was revealed during weeks 2 to 6, with the OmniPrene G outperforming the Altosid Pellets in week 1, but the opposite during weeks 7 to 9. Mortality patterns were similar in both products, i.e., majority of mortality occurred before emergence, although more incomplete emergence was noted in lower doses, particularly in Altosid Pellets. Overall, newly available OmniPrene G provided comparable activity and efficacy with Altosid Pellets against the test species, with the advantages of fast initial AI release and even coverage, particularly when applied at low doses.

On the Quality of the Experience With Virtual Reality-Based Instructional Tools for Science Lab Activities

Today, immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) are regarded as disruptive tools in many domains, including education. While the body of literature in the field is growing, studies that present contrasting findings are not uncommon. In fact, although there is evidence of the benefits brought by VR in the educational processes, in some cases the effects of a possible trade-off between learning effectiveness and quality of the learning experience (or QoLE) may be observed. The two dimensions are difficult to disentangle, as besides learning effectiveness, other factors like motivation, technology acceptability, workload, presence, immersion, engagement, and usability come to play. This paper digs into the above scenario by focusing on the QoLE of immersive VR-based learning and comparing it with that of two conventional approaches (a physical prop-based one and a 3D desktop application). Separation of the two dimensions is pursued by imposing equality of the learning performance achieved with the three approaches, aiming at getting rid of possible confounding factors. From the results of the user study performed in the context of a STEM-related laboratory activity, the VR-based approach appeared to be generally superior to the prop-based approach and showed several advantages over the 3D desktop application.

Statistical Modeling of Within-Laboratory Precision Using a Hierarchical Bayesian Approach.

Reproducibility has been well-studied in the field of food analysis; the relative standard deviation is said to follow the Horwitz curve with certain exceptions. However, little systematic research has been done on predicting repeatability or intermediate precision. We developed a regression method to estimate within-laboratory standard deviations using hierarchical Bayesian modeling and analyzing duplicate measurement data obtained from actual laboratory tests. The Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method was employed and implemented using R with Stan. The basic structure of the statistical model was assumed to be a chi-squared distribution, the fixed effect of the predictor was assumed to be a nonlinear function with a constant term and a concentration-dependent term, and the random effects were assumed to follow a lognormal distribution as a hierarchical prior. By analyzing over 300 instances, we obtained regression results that fit well with the assumed model, except for moisture, which was a method-defined analyte. The developed method applies to a wide variety of analytes measured using general principles, including spectroscopy, GC, and HPLC. Although the estimated precisions were within the HorRat(r) criteria, some cases using high-sensitivity detectors, such as mass spectrometers, showed standard deviations below that range. We propose utilizing the within-laboratory precision predicted by the model established in this study for internal quality control and measurement uncertainty estimation without considering the sample matrices. Performing statistical modeling on data from double analysis, which is conducted as a part of internal quality controls, will simplify the estimation of the precision that fits each analytical system in a laboratory.

Periprosthetic joint infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: case series

Introduction The differential diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is challenging in patients with systemic diseases due to identical clinical and laboratory patterns and activity of the inflammatory process.The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic data and results of debridement of PJI in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using a case series.Material and methods A retrospective analysis of surgical treatment of PJI was produced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis between 2014 and 2022. PJI was verified based on ICM criteria. A poor outcome included the presence of clinical and laboratory signs of infection on admission to the second stage of treatment and recurrence after successful debridement.Results Among the 524 cases of PJI, 35 (6.7 %) were patients with rheumatoid arthritis with 48.6 % receiving antibiotics prior to admission. Culture-negative infection was recorded in 38.4 %. PJI was not confirmed in five cases (14.3 %). High average values of inflammatory markers were registered in the blood (ESR, CRP and D-dimer) before and after debridement; decreased ESR and leukocyte count in the synovial fluid was statistically significant. Favorable outcomes were obtained in 82.9 % of cases at mid term with every fifth patient treated with a spacer or arthrodesis.Discussion The incidence of culture-negative infection in patients with systemic diseases was reported as much as 27–37 %. A systematic review of the literature showed that the percentage of band neutrophils in synovial fluid has a sensitivity of 95.2 % and a specificity of 85.0 %, with an optimal threshold of 78 % sufficient to verify infection. The poor outcomes we identified resulted from two- or three-stage surgical treatment. Other authors reported better outcomes with two-stage debridement.Conclusion Culture-negative infection was common in cases of PJI observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Favorable outcomes were seen mostly with two-stage surgical treatment. Inflammatory markers ESR, CRP and D-dimer did not reach normal values during diagnosis and treatment of infection indicating the inapplicability of standard diagnostic criteria for PJI in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A Search for Biologically Active Compounds for Potential Pharmaceutic and Agronomic Applications.

Summarized here are some aspects of my research activities in Ciba-Geigy Central Research Laboratories (1985-1996), in Novartis and Syngenta Crop Protection Research (1997-2020). I have followed the chronological order of these research activities covering only published data.

Evaluation of thyroid dysfunction in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: Risk factors for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Increased frequency of autoimmune thyroid disease, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) was reported several studies in the literature, in individuals with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of thyroid dysfunction and HT among cSLE patients. Thyroid function tests were obtained cross-sectionally from cSLE patients. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and activity scores were collected from medical records. Patients diagnosed with cSLE were compared to the healthy control group for the frequency of thyroid dysfunction. The Mann-Whitney U, independent samples t test, and the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to compare study groups. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 73 cSLE patients, 14 (19.1%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, 9 (12.3%) had clinical hypothyroidism, 12 (16.4%) were diagnosed with HT, and 12 (16.4%) had a family history of HT. Thyroid USG was performed in 5 euthyroid patients and 1 borderline subclinical hypothyroid patient with positive thyroid autoantibody and reported as diffuse heterogeneous echogenicity enlargement in the thyroid gland. There were no significant differences in clinical and laboratory data or medication used between the groups with and without HT; however, patients with HT had a higher frequency of clinical hypothyroidism and family history of HT. Cumulative prednisolone dose was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with HT. The frequency of HT was considerably higher in patients with cSLE compared to the healthy control group. The results demonstrate an increased incidence of HT in cSLE patients, even if they are euthyroid, and recommend that cSLE patients be screened more frequently.

Консервативная тактика ведения врожденного и инфантильного нефротического синдрома: опыт одного центра

Treatment tactics for patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) varies from aggressive kinds, such as early nephrectomy, to conservative ones that include diuretic and nutritional support. The purpose of this research was to assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment of children with congenital and infantile nephrotic syndromes. Materials and methods used: a single-center retrospective study of 11 pediatric patients who had been manifested with NS within their first year of life and had required diuretic therapy, was conducted. The effectiveness of conservative therapy was assessed as preservation of the renal function according to glomerular filtration and satisfactory weight/height and height alone parameters’ dynamics that ensure the safety of kidney transplantation. Results: despite the molecular genetic study was conducted in all 250 children with NS, the described 11 have had verified pathogenic variants as follows: in the NPHS1 gene in 5 (45.5%, CI 16.8-76.6%), in the NPHS2 gene in another 5 (45.5%, CI 16.8-76.6%) and a single patient with none of a kind. It was revealed that despite the persistence of pronounced NS laboratory activity, the edema gradually disappeared against the background of conservative therapy, which in its turn had made it possible to refrain from early nephrectomy as well as to begin the renal replacement therapy over the age of 3 (4) y/o. 9 (81.8%, CI 48.2-97.7%) had satisfactory weight and height parameters at the age of 3 y/o. Only a single patient had undergone the early nephrectomy at the age of 4 months old, that was then followed by a successful kidney transplant at the age of 1 year and 4 months old, which, however, did not affect the then positive height prognosis. Conclusion: thus, reasonably selected conservative therapy for CNS can be effective against edematous syndrome and contribute to satisfactory weight/height growth parameters without early nephrectomy and, accordingly, the start of dialysis during the first year of life.

Interplay of Group and Individualized Laboratory Activities in Practical Physics

Advocacy has been made for varied teaching strategies towards enhancing the cognitive attainment of students particularly at high schools. Much has not been done on the engagement of learners in laboratory activities for practical physics. We investigated the effect of laboratory activities on students’ performance in practical physics in selected secondary schools focusing on group and individual activities. Two research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. It is a quasi-experimental design using pre-test and post-test with experimental groups. The instrument used was a researchers developed performance test tagged “Practical Physics Performance Test (PPPT). A reliability coefficient of r=0.77 was obtained using Kuder-Richardson KR-21 method. The experiment was conducted for a period of six weeks after which the posttest was administered to the three groups. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation. The null hypothesis was tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The result revealed that students taught practical physics using group laboratory activity performed significantly more than students that were taught practical physics using individualized and lecturing activities. Teachers are therefore required re-strategies on how best to involve students into group laboratory activities during practical physics instructions to facilitate high level cognition. Sub-group approach that are monitored by the teacher with hybrid of fast and slow learners can be adopted.

FACTORS INFLUENCING LATE PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION TREATED WITH DIRECT PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION.

Objective: To investigate factors influencing the late prognosis of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by direct percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 349 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with direct percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were categorized based on catheter laboratory activation time (CLAT) (≤15 or >15 min), time of arrival (working hours or out-of-hours), and mode of arrival (emergency medical services transportation or self-presentation). The primary endpoint was the 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Results: Patients with CLAT ≤15 min showed significant differences in oxygen saturation, FMC-to-device time, symptom-to-device time, symptom-to-FMC time, presentation mode, presentation duration, and MACEs (all P < 0.005). Self-presentation (odds ratio = 0.593, 95% confidence interval = 0.413-0.759) and out-of-hours presentation (odds ratio = 0.612, 95% confidence interval = 0.433-0.813) were risk factors for CLAT >15 min. The working-hours group showed significant differences in FMC-to-device time, activation-to-arrival time at the catheter laboratory, and the number of cases with activation time ≤15 min (all P < 0.005). The emergency medical services and self-presentation groups differed significantly in age, blood pressure, FMC-to-device time, and electrocardiography-to-CLAT (all P < 0.005). Conclusion: Reducing CLAT to 15 min significantly lowers the 2-year MACE rate. Self-presentation and out-of-hours presentation are risk factors for delayed catheter laboratory activation.

International teacher survey on green and sustainable chemistry (GSC) practical activities: design and implementation

Abstract High school chemistry teachers typically share a passion to engage students with hands-on practical experiences. However, teachers worldwide face similar challenges of lack of time and resources for laboratory activities. National standards and traditions can also constrain and dictate the level and content of school chemistry practical experiences. In recent years, some national curricula have included a growing focus on the relevance of chemistry to sustainability and environmental issues. Until now, little has been known about what practical activities teachers actually do with their students, and whether practical activities concerning green and sustainable chemistry are being implemented in schools. In this project, we aimed to determine a baseline of teacher perspectives – how often they run practical activities with their students, what factors are important when choosing a practical activity, what barriers they face in running practical activities, and whether their activities relate to sustainability. This was approached through a major international survey of in-service high school chemistry teachers conducted in over 35 local languages in over 60 countries. Here, we present the initial stages of the project: design of the survey, recruitment of country coordinators, translation, and the implementation process.

Predicting axial-bearing capacity of fully grouted rock bolting systems by applying an ensemble system

In this paper, the potential of the five latest artificial intelligence (AI) predictive techniques, namely multiple linear regression (MLR), multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN), Bayesian regularized neural network (BRNN), generalized feed-forward neural networks (GFFNN), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and their ensemble soft computing models were evaluated to predict of the maximum peak load (PL) and displacement (DP) values resulting from pull-out tests. For this, 34 samples of the fully cementitious grouted rock bolts were prepared and cast. After conducting pull-out tests and building a dataset, twenty-four tests were randomly considered as a training dataset, and the remaining measurements were chosen to test the models’ performance. The input parameters were water-to-grout ratio (%) and curing time (day), while peak loads and displacement values were the outputs. The results revealed that the ensemble XGBoost model was superior to the other models. It was because having higher values of R2 (0.989, 0.979) and VAF (99.473, 98.658) and lower values of RMSE (0.0201, 0.0435) were achieved for testing the dataset of PL and DP’ values, respectively. Besides, sensitivity analysis proved that curing time was the most influential parameter in estimating values of peak loads and displacements. Also, the results confirmed that the ensemble XGBoost method was positioned to predict the axial-bearing capacity of the fully cementitious grouted rock bolting system with extreme performance and accuracy. Eventually, the results of the ensemble XGBoost modeling technique suggested that this novel model was more economical, less time-consuming, and less complicated than laboratory activities.

Infliximab serum concentrations in luminal Crohn's disease and its relationship with disease activity: A multicentric cross-sectional study

ObjectivesIn Latin America, experience with monitoring serum Infliximab (IFX) concentrations is scarce. Our study aimed to compare IFX serum concentrations between patients with active disease or in remission. Patients and methodsA cross-sectional study was performed in patients with luminal Crohn's disease (CD) during maintenance treatment with IFX. Patients were classified as in remission or disease activity according to clinical scores and endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory markers. A comparison of IFX trough levels between the two groups was performed. Results80 CD patients were included [41 (51%) in remission and 39 (49%) with active disease]. In the analysis of general disease activity, the median serum levels of IFX in patients with remission and with active CD were 5.63 [0.03–14.40] vs. 3.84 [0.03–14.40] (p=0.287). Furthermore, there was no difference in serum IFX concentrations in endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory activities. Only in the clinical evaluation there was a significant difference in the median serum IFX levels between patients in remission and disease activity, 5.63 [0.03–14.40] vs. 2.14 [0.32–10.54] (p=0.042). ConclusionsIFX serum concentrations during maintenance treatment were similar in patients with luminal CD in remission and general, endoscopic, radiological, and laboratory disease activity. Patients with clinically active disease had lower IFX concentrations than patients in remission.

Identify The Relationship Between Scientific Writing Skills and Cognitive Skills During Laboratory Activities

The lack of understanding about how scientific writing skills influence students' cognitive skills during laboratory activities. This study aimed to assess scientific writing skills and cognitive skills and explore their relationship among 49 first-semester science teacher candidates enrolled in a practical course on measurement tools and methods from February to June 2023. Cognitive skills were evaluated using reported response scores. Descriptive analysis revealed a spectrum of scientific writing skills, ranging from excellent to poor, among the participants, alongside generally low cognitive abilities. However, upon conducting correlation tests, it was found that there was no significant relationship between the ability to write reports and the response values (Sig = 0.117 0.05, rcount = 0.227 rtable = 0.281). The research findings suggest that scientific writing skills exhibit variance across different practical subjects, and notably, the ability to write reports does not appear to correlate with response scores. These insights shed light on the complex interplay between scientific writing proficiency and cognitive abilities during laboratory activities, urging further exploration into pedagogical strategies to enhance both skill sets in science education

Design analysis and reconstruction of laboratory activities on fruit’s DNA isolation practice

Practicum is very important in science learning because it provides direct experience to students so that students can understand the context of natural phenomena through direct observation. This research aims to evaluate and improve the design of laboratory activities (DKL) in fruit DNA isolation practicum. This research uses a qualitative descriptive analysis design. The sampling method used was purposive sampling, namely by analyzing the DKL contained in Biology textbooks. The instrument used is an instrument development based on the Vee diagram principle. The results of the analysis show that DKL has a fairly good quality level, namely reaching a percentage of 72%, but still requires several adjustments in the form of reconstruction. The reconstruction carried out included adding verbs to learning objectives, replacing and adding equipment specifications, using standard units in measuring materials, restructuring procedures, adding units to observation tables, and data transformation using graphics. It is hoped that the results of the DKL reconstruction can provide more effective and relevant guidance for students and contribute to efforts to improve the quality of practical learning in the context of DNA isolation.