Submicroscopic Level Research Articles

Learning Media of PPT-iSpring with Macroscopic, Submicroscopic and Symbolic Representations for Improvement of Chemistry Teacher Competency

Activities of Community service in scheme of Program Kemitrasaan Masyarakat (PKM) aim to improve the competence of high school and vocational high school chemistry teachers in Pariaman Regency in making PPT-iSpring learning media which have macroscopic, submicroscopic and symbolic level. PKM methods are lectures, demonstrations and workshops. The lecture method is used to convey ICT and internet terminology, three levels of chemistry representation and 21st century learning. The demonstration method is to download general chemistry e-books and chemistry learning videos and workshops for making PPT-iSpring learning media. This activity can improve the knowledge and skills of chemistry teachers using various learning resources from websites, teachers' knowledge of the three levels of representation and their interconnections, chemistry teachers' knowledge and skills in combining chemistry learning resources to be used in making PPT-iSpring learning media based on ICT with an emphasis on macroscopic, submicroscopic and symbolic level representation.

Malaysia Secondary Students' Conceptions about the Particulate Nature of Matter

This paper was conducted to determine students’ conceptions about the particulate nature of matter (PNM) in daily life events. Five open ended questions from Nature of Matter-Diagnostic Questions (NMDQ) were used to collect the data through questionnaire survey. 32 secondary students were chosen through random sampling for this study. A qualitative and quantitative methodology was used for this investigation. The findings were analyses using descriptive statistics via Statistical Package in the Social Sciences (SPSS) and content analysis. The results showed that the type of conceptual understandings among the students on the submicroscopic level of matter were classified as alternative understanding with scientific fragments. They have alternative conceptions about the submicroscopic level of particles such as the arrangement and relative spacing between the particles in three states of matter, the movement of water particles and solid particles in a liquid and the movement and uniform distribution of liquid molecules in another liquid. Hence, this paper suggests that the instruction on the particulate nature of matter is needed in helping students making connections between the three levels which chemistry can both taught and understood. It is proposed that by emphasizing the three levels of chemistry in describing common, everyday phenomena to which students could relate would make the instruction more effective.

Morphological features of the respiratory part in guinea pigs lung in dynamics of experimental allergic inflammatory process

The main function of the components of the respiratory tract is gas exchange while maintaining homeostasis in lung, given the pathogenic and non-pathogenic elements of the environment contained in the inhaled air. Morphological changes of the components of the respiratory part in lung of human and animals of adaptive nature under the influence of various factors on the body today remain insufficiently studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the morphological changes of the components of the respiratory part of guinea pigs lung in the dynamics of experimental ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammation. We used histological and electron microscopic methods to study the lungs of 48 male guinea pigs in experimental ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammation, simulated by subcutaneous sensitization and subsequent intranasal inhalation with ovalbumin. Morphological changes of the components of the respiratory tract of the lungs were determined in the early and late phases of allergic inflammatory process at the optical and submicroscopic levels. The early phase (23rd and 30th days of the experiment) was characterized by a predominance of alterative and destructive changes, consisted in the desquamation of the alveolar epithelium with a violation of the blood-gas barrier and hemomicrocirculatory bed. Type II alveolar cells had lesions of varying severity in the form of the absence of lamellar bodies or disturbances in the formation of their contents, vacuolization of the cytoplasm, mitochondrial damage. In the late phase of the development of the allergic inflammatory process (36th and 44th days of the experiment) in the respiratory part of lung were dominated adaptive and restorative changes. In addition, we observed dilation of the lung alveoli and thinning of the interalveolar septa, which is a consequence of the cascade of reactions of the local neuroendocrine and immune systems of lung as a result of allergen action. Thus, experimental ovalbumin-induced allergic inflammatory process of the respiratory tract is accompanied by structural and functional changes in the components of the respiratory part in lung of guinea pigs in stages depending on the duration of the experiment.

The effect and mechanism of gene Fam20a on the development and function of salivary glands in mice

ObjectiveThe influence of the knockout of gene Fam20a on mice salivary glands was studied in this research, to provide a potential gene therapeutic target for salivary gland dysfunction. DesignThe control group with genotype Fam20af/f and conditional knockout (cKO) group with Fam20af/f;K14-Cre were constructed with Cre-Loxp. The influence of Fam20a on the salivary glands was studied in terms of morphology, functionality and molecular mechanism. ResultsIn terms of morphology, the cross-sectional area ratio of ductal to the total was reduced in the cKO mice, while that of extracellular matrix to the total was increased. At the sub-microscopic level, the knockout of Fam20a led to abnormal sub-microscopic structure of the duct cells. Functionally, saliva flow rate was significantly reduced in cKO mice. The result was consistent with the change of acinar cell marker Aquaporin 5 which was abnormally diffusely expressed in the cytoplasm of acinar cells. Meanwhile, the expression of ductal cell markers Cytokeratin 7 and nerve growth factor β were significantly decreased, suggesting the abnormal development and function of the duct cells. The research on the mechanism reveals that the loss of Fam20a led to the decreased expression and varied localization of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), and a significant decrease of the proportion of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein1/2 (ERK1/2) to total ERK1/2. These changes suggested that the loss of Fam20a attenuated the activity of the BMP/ERK signaling pathway. ConclusionsFam20a affects the morphology and function of salivary glands, probably by attenuating the activity of the BMP/ERK signaling pathway.

The influence of active learning and submicrorepresentations on 14-year-old students’ understanding of the alkaline earth metal concepts

This study aimed to examine the impact of two different approaches on students? understanding of selected chemical concepts. The first treatment group was taught by a method comprising guided active learning demonstrations, and the second treatment group was exposed to guided active learning demonstrations with explanations at the submicroscopic level. In a control group, the selected topic was taught without guided active learning demonstrations and without explanations at the submicroscopic level. The instruments used in this research included the test of logical thinking (TOLT), knowledge pre-test (KPT), two achievement tests (AT-1 and AT-2) and a questionnaire for students. One hundred and seventy-one students (average age 13.9 years) participated in the study. The results indicate that both approaches (i.e., guided active learning demonstrations and guided active learning demonstrations with explanations at submicroscopic level) are more effective than only symbolic teaching. It can be concluded from the results that students? knowledge, obtained by either method that includes guided active learning, is retained in the students? long-term memory. Some suggestions for implications for the primary science curriculum are also discussed.

МОЛЕКУЛЯРНО-ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПОДХОДЫ К ДИАГНОСТИКЕ НАСЛЕДСТВЕННОЙ ПАТОЛОГИИ

Today, the problem of timely diagnosis of fetal genetic disorders is especially urgent for the medical community. At the moment, the most effective are molecular-genetic methods - a large and diverse group of methods designed to detect damage in the structure of a DNA section up to deciphering the primary sequence of bases. The emergence of molecular-genetic methods has opened up a new dimension in the study of human chromosomes and their viola- tion - the submicroscopic level. The main studies used by healthcare professionals are: determination of the karyo- type; study of the material of missed pregnancies; examination of oocytes and spermatozoa; prenatal invasive and non-invasive diagnostics; genetic counseling. The method of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), allows you to objectively identify the nucleotide composition of a particular chromosome or locus. FISH assays are important for the clinical diagnosis of various chromosomal abnormalities, including deletions, duplications, and translocations.

A Mixed Methods Study Conveying the Attitudes of Chemistry Students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) towards Chemistry and Its Effect on Achievement in Mole Concept Chemistry

The IUPAC unit that measures the fundamental quantity “amount of substance”, the mole, and its related concepts have been repeatedly reported to be a source of confusion for students and educators at all levels. Literature shows that students have grave difficulty in incorporating and transferring their understanding of the mole at both the sub-microscopic and macroscopic levels (Indriyanti and Barke 2017). Myriad variables exacerbate learning and teaching of the mole concept, but one crucial factor that affects it is student attitudes towards chemistry. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to focus on how attitudes towards chemistry affect achievement in mole concept chemistry. It was conducted with preliminary and level one students at the three campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI). A convenience sample of 471 students participated in the quantitative portion, while thirty-nine students provided feedback via interviews for the qualitative part. The quantitative portion was analysed using a combination of descriptive analyses and parametric tests of significance, while the qualitative data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The results indicated that the students involved are performing at an average level in mole concept chemistry, and this achievement is dependent on their attitudes towards chemistry. Furthermore, negative attitudes towards chemistry, exacerbated by decreased self-efficacy, were vividly expressed as one of the greatest barriers to effective learning and teaching of the mole concept. The participants indicated that the teacher’s disposition is key to either worsening or improving their performance in mole concept chemistry. The findings of this novel research in the Caribbean provide insight that could inform and enhance the instructional strategies of educators in the Caribbean and other regions, which could be a catalyst for positive achievement. Thus, it can provide an avenue for developing more positive student attitudes through self-efficacious teaching strategies, which are essential for fostering increased achievement and positive attitudes towards the mole concept.

Penerapan Pembelajaran Berbasis Inquiry pada Materi Elektrokimia terhadap Pemahaman Konseptual, Model Mental dan Sikap Siswa

The purpose of this article review is to know the effect of applying inquiry-based learning on electrochemistry material to conceptual understanding, mental model and student attitudes. Based on some articles that have been reviewed, it can be concluded that the application of inquiry-based learning can improve conceptual understanding, mental model and positive attitude of students on electrochemistry material. The 5E inquiry (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation) can be combined with the galvanic cell kit model to improve students' understanding of electrochemistry at the submicroscopic (molecular) level. Inquiry-based learning can be applied in both laboratory activities and classroom learning processes. The students' understanding of chemistry will be intact if students are able to connect the three levels of chemical representation.

Posthypoxic Changes in Rat Offspring under the Intestinal Wall Transformation

The aim of research is to study posthypoxic transformation of the colon wall using light and electron microscopy in an experimental model of rat offspring.
 Materials and methods. Chronic hypobaric hypoxia at different stages of pregnancy was simulated experimentally in 24 female white mongrel rats using a vacuum flow chamber with a rise to a height of 5000 m at a speed of 25 m/sec for 40 minutes. After delivery, the offspring were examined, subjected to hexenal anesthesia, and then removed from the experiment using decapitation. For light microscopy, resected sections of the small intestine and colon were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and studied on Topic (Belgium, 2000) and Bio Blue (the Netherlands, 2013). Electron microscopic analysis was performed in a Morgagni 268D transmission electron microscope (FEI, USA).
 Results. Chronic hypoxia, simulated in the first trimester of pregnancy, led to significant changes in the intestinal mucosa in combination with the growth of the connective tissue component in the muscle layer. The risk of developing dynamic intestinal obstruction occurred in the offspring of all groups, this was supported by an increase in the fibrous tissue of the intestinal wall. Pronounced changes in the microcirculatory bed were detected in animals of groups II and III, as they were predisposed to develop pre-ulcer and ulcerative defects in the wall of the small intestine. At the submicroscopic level, it was detected that both adaptive and destructive processes occurred in the wall ultrastructure of the descending colon of the rat offspring after hypoxic exposure in the prenatal period in animals of all experimental groups. In the microcirculatory bed, there was an increased venous congestion, with the most pronounced changes observed in the third trimester.
 Conclusion. Thus, the study of hypoxia in the experiment allows investigating more about all the mechanisms of the pathological process and to translate theoretical knowledge into practical medicine.

Development of Augmented Reality-Based Learning Media on Concept of Hydrocarbon to Improve Multi-representation Ability

This study aims to design and develop learning media based on augmented reality on hydrocarbon material and its validity to determine the media's feasibility and increase students' multi-representation ability. This research is a type of development research using Design Research and Development (R&D). The product validity test phase was carried out by two material experts and three media experts. In addition, testing was carried out on the responses of the participating students. The implementation stage of learning was carried out by class X TKJ 2 SMK Gondang Pekalongan with a total of 32 students. The data analysis technique used a questionnaire instrument and the technical descriptive statistical analysis. The results of this study are: (1) the development of augmented reality-based learning media on hydrocarbon material in the form of an android application consisting of five main menus, namely basic competencies and indicators, materials, AR camera, practice questions, and the identity of the researcher, as well as seven molecular cards of the structure chemical compound molecules; (2) validity assessment by material experts with an average score of 85% in the "very valid" category and the validity assessment by media experts with an average score of 94% in the "very valid" category; (3) the feasibility test results for using media in the implementation of learning obtained an average student response score of 78%, with the "feasible" category used as learning media. The increase in multi-representation abilities is shown by increasing student learning outcomes using multi-representation questions, including macroscopic, submicroscopic, and symbolic levels. The macroscopic level increased by 27.50%, the submicroscopic increased by 36.70%, and the symbolic level increased by 33.30%. The results of this study indicate that augmented reality-based learning media on hydrocarbons is very suitable for use in chemistry learning and has been proven to increase students' multi-representation abilities

The Development of Structured Inquiry with three-Level Representation Module

<p>Mole concepts are essential parts of chemistry learning and have become preliminaries to learn other chemistry concepts. However, the learning resource used has not incorporated three representations, resulting in students' learning outcomes. This study aimed to develop a structured inquiry module in terms of validity and practicality. The method used in this study is research development through the use of the Plomp model. There were 141 senior high school students in Padang participating in the study. The instruments of this study included cognitive tests. The result of the study indicated that the structured inquiry module had high validity (V=0.98), practicality based on teachers' response (P=0.36) and students' response (P=0.36)</p><p>Furthermore, the result of the t-test toward hypotheses of the learning outcome of the mole concept showed that the learning outcome of the mole concept in experimental groups was higher than that of control groups at both schools. Hence, the structured inquiry module has high validity and practicality. It is also effective to be used in chemistry learning at school. The module developed is a module with three levels of representation (macroscopic level, submicroscopic level and symbolic level). The module contains structured inquiry activities. The module also includes several components such as teacher guidelines, student activity sheets, worksheets, worksheet keys, test sheets, test sheet keys.</p><p>.</p>

Pre-service Chemistry Teachers’ Mental Model of Colligative Properties for Nonelectrolyte Solutions

Mental models are representations that describe the understanding of the three levels of representation in chemistry, that is macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic. This study aims to obtain a general description of the mental model of pre-service chemistry teachers in the colligative properties of non-electrolyte solutions. The study was a descriptive research with 22 second-year FIP Chemistry Education students from Pelita Harapan University Tangerang. Data collection was carried out with research instruments in the form of diagnostic tests. The results of the study state that the average percentage level of representation is 67 % macroscopic level, 31% sub-microscopic level, and 72 % symbolic level. The results of this study indicate that students' understanding at the macroscopic and sub-microscopic level of the colligative properties of non-electrolyte solutions was low compared to chemical representations at a symbolic level. Meanwhile, the categories of mental models possessed by pre-service chemistry teachers in the topic of non-electrolyte colligative properties vary for each level of chemical representation. Based on the percentage at each level of representation, the mental model of chemistry teacher candidates with a symbolic model category is higher than the scientific model. The low mental model of the scientific model contributed to the understanding of the pre-service chemistry teachers that the concept of chemistry is not intact scientifically.

KEMAMPUAN REPRESENTASI SUBMIKROSKOPIK SISWA PADA KONSEP IKATAN KIMIA

This study is motivated by the difficulty of leaners to understanding the concept of chemical bonding as a whole. Learning that does not represent submicroscopic level causes leaners difficulty to resolving submicroscopic based chemistry questions. This study aims to describe leaner’s ability in represent the concept of chemical bonding at the submicroscopic level. A qualitative descriptive method used in this study. The participants of the study were 30 leaners XI grade of SMA Negeri 1 Meulaboh. The submicroscopic based test instrument was employed in the study to collect the data. The result of study showed that the leaner’s ability of submicroscopic representation about chemical bonding as a whole falls into the category of enough with a percentage of 58.78%. The average leaners score is 59.32 included in the criteria of sufficient understanding. Generally, leaners were not able to solve the submicroscopic based questions about chemical bonding as expected. The low ability of submicroscopic representation is due to leaners are not used to describing the ions, electrons, and molecular shapes submicroscopically, understanding of chemical bonding concept that are not yet intact, lack of interest and attention of leaners in receiving concept in the learning process.

Linking the representation levels to a physical separation and purification method in chemistry: Understanding of distillation experiment

The present investigation aims to analyze the knowledge levels and chemical representation levels of pre-service primary school teachers (PPSTs) on the experiment of distillation. For this purpose, the cross-sectional survey technique, one of the quantitative research designs was employed. The study was carried out at a Faculty of Education in the Aegean Region of Turkey with 79 freshman pre-service teachers enrolled in the Department of Primary Education. This group is of particular interest as they are the last class who had taken the General Chemistry course since this course was removed from the curriculum in 2018. A Distillation Experiment Worksheet (DEW), which consisted of 9 open-ended questions involving the macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic representations was used as data collection instrument in the study. The worksheets were analyzed with the document analysis method according to the categories created within the scope of the chemical representation levels, and these categories were established in line with direct statements of the PPSTs. Results indicated that PPSTs confused the heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures, physical properties such as volatility and density, and they were unable to differentiate between boiling and evaporation. The most crucial result of the study was that the PPSTs had difficulties in establishing a relationship between macroscopic and sub-microscopic representations. For this reason, they could not demonstrate the interactions between solvent and solute molecules at the sub-microscopic level during molecular dissolution and they could not predict how the intermolecular interaction changes during the condensation and the distance between the particles. Based on the results of this analysis, our study provides several recommendations for lecturers in the last part of this paper.

Pengembangan E-Modul Berbasis Pemecahan Masalah Pada Materi Larutan Elektrolit dan Non-Elektrolit (ELNOEL)

High school students have difficulty in understanding “electrolyte and non-electrolyte” solution materials because they are mostly abstract. Students should study three aspects in electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions including macroscopic, symbolic and submicroscopic. However, the fact that in school only accentuates macroscopic and symbolic levels. Then the learning resources cannot provide an explanation of the submicroscopic level and the learning model used does not make students active in accordance with the 2013 curriculum. This study aims to produce products in the form of problem solving-based Elnoel E-modules on electrolyte and non-electrolyte solution materials, as well as explaining the feasibility of E-elnoel module and student response to Elnoel E-module. This research is designed with ADDIE model with analyze, design, development, implementation and evaluation stages. This Elnoel e-module is validated by 7 experts (judment) that the results of material validation and media validation are declared valid with a value of 0.85 and 0.81. Then the Elnoel E-module was implemented to 9 students of grade XI science at Al-Qudwah Integrated High School to find out the student's response to the media developed by obtaining a percentage of 89% that belongs to the category very good.It can be seen that the development of media arranged based on problem solving can stimulate students’ thinking skills and get a positive response from students.

Examining the Use of PhET Simulations on Students’ Attitudes and Learning in General Chemistry II

Chemistry is considered difficult to students to learn because many of its concepts are abstract in nature and require visualization at the sub-microscopic level of representation. Physics Education Technology (PhET) offers students the ability to understand and relate both chemical systems and what is happening at the sub-microscopic level through dynamic visualization. Simulations like PhET can be used as a powerful transformative tool for the teaching and learning of science. The research design and paradigm goal is to investigate the students’ perceptions on the impact of PhET simulations on their learning and attitudes and to identify PhET’s most helpful features. The data gathering tool in this research project is a survey that comprised of Likert-type and open-ended questions that was handed out to students who have completed General Chemistry II and were acquainted with PhET simulations as part of their laboratory sessions. The research took place at the City College of New York, an urban, minority serving, and public college. The number of research participants is 158. The implications of the research findings are PhET interactive simulations have an overall positive impact on students’ attitudes and perceptions about learning, PhET simulations promote students’ development of conceptual understanding of chemistry concepts and content, PhET simulations seem to promote and facilitate learning and understanding of abstract concepts, and PhET simulations furnish learning opportunities that otherwise cannot be attained in a traditional laboratory setting. The data presented in this paper support the notion that there is a need to update and modify general chemistry laboratories to reflect emerging technologies such as PhET interactive simulations.

Microscopic and ultramicroscopic structure of typical chordae tendineae of the human’s left ventricle bicuspid valve

Objective – to determine the features of the micro- and submicroscopic structure of typical chordae tendineae of the mitral valve of the human heart.Materials and methods. This study was made on preparations of 35 human hearts, in particular the chordae tendineae of the bicuspid valves of the left ventricles of children and people of early and middle adulthood using the methods of light and electron microscopy.Results. The study of typical chordae tendineae of the mitral valve leaflets was made using the microscopic method and the method of electron microscopy. The areas where the chordae tendineae diverge from the papillary muscles, the middle third of the chordae tendineae, and the place of attachment of the chordae tendineae to the mitral valve leaflets were studied. Chordae tendineae are covered with endothelium from all sides. A peripheral collagen-elastic layer of loose fibrous connective tissue is localized under the endothelium, along the entire perimeter of the chordae tendineae and it differs in structure in different parts of the chordae at the submicroscopic level. Bundles of densely packed collagen fibers, which are oriented rectilinearly along the chordae, form the core of the chordae tendineae. Bundles of striated cardiac typical muscle cells are localized in areas where the chordae tendineae origin from the papillary muscles. It was found that in the composition of the chordae tendineae of children the cellular component in the fibrous connective tissue predominates during comparing the typical chordae tendineae of different aged people.Conclusions. This morphological study made it possible to obtain new information and to clarify the data that are already known to morphologists on the micro- and submicroscopic structure of typical chordae tendineae of the mitral valve of the human heart. We found that differences in the histological structure are more typical for the areas of origin of typical chordae tendineae from the papillary muscles and areas of their attachment to the leaflets of the mitral valve. The diameter of the core of the chordae tendineae increases and the thickness of the loose peripheral collagen-elastic layer decreases with age. The received data can serve as a theoretical basis for the further comparative morphological and clinical studies of the mitral valve of the human heart. That, in turn, will facilitate to an increasing the level of diagnostic, to improve methods of prevention and treatment of minor heart anomalies, congenital and acquired defects of the valvular apparatus of the heart.

Analysing Students’ Spatial Abilities in Chemistry Learning Using 3D Virtual Representation

Students often have difficulty understanding abstract concepts in chemistry and a low spatial ability, especially in visualizing intermolecular interactions at the submicroscopic level. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the spatial ability of students by using a 3D virtual representation as they study the curriculum topic of molecular geometry. The research was conducted with 13 male and 23 female year 10 secondary students in Jakarta, Indonesia. A qualitative methodology was employed to analyze students’ spatial abilities while they undertook learning activities using 3D virtual representation. Data collection included a spatial assessment, a quiz about prior knowledge, student worksheets, interviews, observation sheets, reflective journals, and a molecular geometry test. Learning was carried out in three stages; engage, explore, and explain. The results of the research show that students’ ability in spatial orientation is low whereas their ability in spatial relationships that involve using mental manipulation and rotation of 2D or 3D objects is more developed. Students employ this approach to develop their understanding of molecular geometry.

Determination Coefficient of Stress Concentration Using a Conformed Display on a Circle of a Single Radius

Developed a mathematical model, which makes it possible to optimize, from the point of view of defect formation, the parameters of stress concentration in a deformable elastic body of the materials being processed, destruction is considered as a method for creating defects at a submicroscopic level in various media. Getting expressions of conformal reflection of single circle on an arbitrary area, using a conformal reflection and transformation of Laplace, it is possible to design behavior of a tensely deformed state of solid at the arbitrary loading.

Assessment of Microscopic Detection of Malaria with Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction in War-Torn Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.

Diagnostic accuracy of malaria is critical for early treatment, control, and elimination of malaria, especially in war-affected malaria-endemic areas. Microscopic detection of Plasmodium species has been the gold standard in remote malaria-endemic regions. However, the diagnostic accuracy is still questioned, especially in discriminating mixed and submicroscopic parasitic levels. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of microscopic examination against nested PCR analysis in war-torn malaria-endemic Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Venous blood samples were collected from symptomatic patients for microscopic examination and nested PCR analysis from January 2016-December 2016 from five Agencies (Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Kurram Agency) and four Frontier Regions (Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan Frontier Region) of FATA. Malaria-positive isolates were confirmed by nested PCR (targeting Plasmodium small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (ssrRNA) genes) for speciation. Among enrolled participants, 762 were found positive for malaria parasite on microscopic examination of the blood film. Plasmodium vivax was found in 623, Plasmodium falciparum in 132 and 7 were diagnosed with mixed infection (P. vivax and P. falciparum coinfection). Nested PCR detected Plasmodium infection in 679 samples (523 P. vivax, 121 P. falciparum, and 35 mixed infections). Compared with microscopy, the sensitivity of nested PCR was 98.94%, and specificity was 98.27%, while the sensitivity and specificity of slide microscopy 89.34% and 87.99% respectively. The conventional microscopy method has low sensitivity to detect the mixed infection as compared to nested PCR. High sensitivity and specificity observed in nested PCR make this molecular tool a useful technique for monitoring, controlling, and eliminating malaria-endemic regions.