Treatment Interaction Effects Research Articles

The Impact of Non-Normality on Causal Effect Estimates in Structural Equation Models with Ordered Categorical Variables

Multilevel structural equation models (SEM) are widely used for estimating causal effects in social and behavioral sciences. However, the impact of non-normality on these estimates, particularly with ordered categorical variables, remains unclear. This study investigates how non-normality affects causal effect estimation in path and multigroup SEMs with ordered categorical variables. Using the Vine-to-Anything approach, we simulated multivariate distributions by independently varying marginals and copulas. We compared maximum likelihood (ML), robust ML, and diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimators across various non-normal conditions in three simulation studies. Results show that bias in effect estimates critically depends on the combination of copulas and marginal distributions in treatment and control groups. DWLS generally outperformed ML, especially for average treatment effects and interaction effects. However, all methods were sensitive to distributional misspecifications. These findings highlight the importance of considering distributional assumptions when using ordered categorical data in causal inference studies.

Nano-enhanced storage of American cotton using metal-oxide nanoparticles for improving seed quality traits.

Cotton seeds have poorer germination than other crops because of their high sensitivity towards insect pests and other biotic and abiotic stresses during the germination process. In the present study, inorganic bulk and nano nutrients of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical reduction method and invigourated with cotton seeds. The characterization of nanoparticles was done by FESEM, HRTEM, UV/Vis analysis and FTIR. The delinted and fuzzy seeds of two American cotton varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i) were nano-primed for 10h with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) @ 400ppm and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) @ 100ppm. After nanoparticle invigouration, the seeds were analyzed for various parameters at different intervals (0months, 3months, 6months, 9months and 12months) such as germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity, dehydrogenase activity, antioxidant enzyme activity. The results indicated that that different storage periods and nanopriming treatments had significant effects on all seed quality parameters except the effect of nanopriming treatments on germination percentage (excluding delinted seeds of H 1098-i). It is also revealed that the interaction effect of nanopriming treatment and storage period was non-significant on all parameters except EC. Maximum reduction in seed quality parameters was observed in control treatment and minimum was found when seeds were nanoprimed with ZnONPs @ 400ppm. The differences in the response for both NPs can be attributed to their surface charge, and concentration used. Overall, ZnONPs and TiO2NPs could hold seed quality and vigour during the storage of cotton seeds of American varieties (H 1300 and H 1098-i).

Sex-Based Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids on Strength Training Performance and Body Composition.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are widely studied for their effects on muscle recovery and performance. This study examined the effects of BCAA supplementation on anthropometric data, physical performance, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and fatigue in recreational weightlifters. The trial involved 100 participants (50 men and 50 women), randomized into BCAA and placebo groups. Subjects in the BCAA group took five daily capsules of 500 mg L-leucine, 250 mg L-isoleucine, and 250 mg L-valine for six months. A two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the main and interaction effects of sex and treatment. Notable findings include significant improvements in muscle recovery, as indicated by reduced DOMS, particularly in women who showed a decrement of 18.1 ± 9.4 mm compared to 0.8 ± 1.2 mm in the placebo group of a horizontal 100 mm line. Fatigue perception was also significantly lower in the BCAA group, with women reporting a greater decrease (2.6 ± 1.5 scores) compared to the placebo group (0.6 ± 0.7 scores). Strength gains were prominent, especially in men, with a 10% increase in bench press maximum observed in the BCAA group. The interaction between sex and treatment was significant, suggesting sex-specific responses to BCAA supplementation. These results underscore the effectiveness of BCAA supplementation in enhancing muscle recovery, reducing fatigue, and improving strength. This study also highlights sex-specific responses, with women benefiting more in terms of DOMS and fatigue reduction, while men experienced greater strength gains, suggesting a need for tailored supplementation strategies.

Vegetative Growth Analysis of Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea L) Consequences of Vermicompost and Urea Fertilizer Treatment

Research on Analysis of vegetative growth of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L) due to vermicompost and urea fertilizer treatment was carried out from April to July 2024 In West Lombok. This research aims to analyze: 1) vegetative growth of green mustard after urea fertilizer treatment, 2) vegetative growth of mustard greens after vermicompost treatment 3) the interaction effect of vermicompost and urea fertilizer treatment on the growth of green mustard. In the research a 2 factor design was used. Growth parameters of mustard greens measured were plant fresh weight, stem height, number of leaves and length of mustard green leaves. Data from measurements of all the growth parameters above were analyzed using analysis of variance. The results of the mustard green growth analysis showed that: (1) urea fertilizer treatment had a significant effect on fresh weight, plant height, number of leaves and leaf length of mustard greens, (2) vermicompost treatment had a significant effect on all mustard green growth parameters. (3) the interaction between urea and vermicompost fertilizer treatments did not have a real effect on the growth of mustard greens.

Impact of Stimulation Frequency on Verbal Fluency Following Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease.

The effects of stimulation frequency on verbal fluency (VF) following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not well understood. The present study examines the impact stimulation frequency has on VF following bilateral STN-DBS in PD. Prospective study of 38 consecutive patients with PD with low frequency STN-DBS (LFS) (n= 10) and high frequency STN-DBS (HFS) (n= 14), and a non-operated PD control group consisting of patients with fluctuating response to dopaminergic medication (n= 14) homogeneous in age, education, disease duration, and global cognitive function. Patients were evaluated on VF tasks (letter, semantic, action verbs, alternating). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to assess distinctions between groups. Pre- and post-surgical comparisons of fluencies were performed for operated groups. A mixed ANOVA was applied to the data to evaluate the interaction between treatment (HFS vs. LFS) and time (pre- vs. post-surgery). Strategy use (clustering and switching) was evaluated. Semantic and letter fluency performance revealed significant differences between HFS and LFS groups. Pre- and post-surgical comparisons revealed HFS negatively affected letter, semantic, and action fluencies, but LFS had no effect on VF. No interaction effect or main effect of treatment was found. Main effect of time was significant for semantic and action fluencies indicating a decrease in postoperative fluency performance. Patients with LFS produced larger average cluster sizes than patients with HFS. LFS may be less detrimental to VF, but these findings suggest that VF decline following STN-DBS is not caused by stimulation frequency alone.

The acute effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on postmenopausal endothelial resistance to ischemia reperfusion injury: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover clinical trial.

Postmenopausal cardiovascular health is a critical determinant of longevity. Consumption of beetroot juice (BR) and other nitrate-rich foods is a safe, effective non-pharmaceutical intervention to increase systemic bioavailability of the vasoprotective molecule, nitric oxide, through the exogenous nitrate (NO3 -)-nitrite (NO2 -)-nitric oxide (NO) pathway. We hypothesized that a single dose of nitrate-rich beetroot juice (BRnitrate 600 mg NO3 -/140 mL, BRplacebo ∼ 0 mg/140 mL) would improve resting endothelial function and resistance to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to a greater extent in early-postmenopausal (1-6 years following their final menstrual period (FMP), n=12) compared to late-postmenopausal (6+years after FMP, n=12) women. Analyses with general linear models revealed a significant (p<0.05) time*treatment interaction effect for brachial artery adjusted flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Pairwise comparisons revealed that adjusted FMD was significantly lower following IR-injury in comparison to all other time points with BRplacebo (early FMD 2.51±1.18%, late FMD 1.30±1.10, p<0.001) and was lower than post-IR with BRnitrate (early FMD 3.84±1.21%, late FMD 3.21±1.13%, p=0.014). A single dose of BRnitrate significantly increased resting macrovascular function in the late postmenopausal group only (p=0.005). Considering the postmenopausal stage-dependent variations in endothelial responsiveness to dietary nitrate, we predict differing mechanisms underpin macrovascular protection against IR injury.

Baseline systolic blood pressure, hypertension history, and efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning.

We performed a post hoc exploratory analysis of Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke (RICAMIS) to determine whether hypertension history and baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) affect the efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). Based on the full analysis set of RICAMIS, patients were divided into hypertension versus non-hypertension group, or <140 mmHg versus ≥140 mmHg group. Each group was further subdivided into RIC and control subgroups. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1 at 90 days. Efficacy of RIC was compared among patients with hypertension versus nonhypertension history and SBP of <140 mmHg versus ≥140 mmHg. Furthermore, the interaction effect of treatment with hypertension and SBP was assessed. Compared with control group, RIC produced a significantly higher proportion of patients with excellent functional outcome in the nonhypertension group (RIC vs. control: 65.7% vs. 57.0%, OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.06-1.98; p = 0.02), but no significant difference was observed in the hypertension group (RIC vs. control: 69.1% vs. 65.2%, p = 0.17). Similar results were observed in SBP ≥140 mmHg group (RIC vs. control: 68.0% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.009) and SBP <140 mmHg group (RIC vs. control: 65.6% vs. 64.7%, p = 0.77). No interaction effect of RIC on primary outcome was identified. Hypertension and baseline SBP did not affect the neuroprotective effect of RIC, but they were associated with higher probability of excellent functional outcome in patients with acute moderate ischemic stroke who received RIC treatment.

Sample-Treatment with the Virucidal β-Propiolactone Does Not Preclude Analysis by Large Panel Affinity Proteomics, Including the Discovery of Biomarker Candidates.

Virus inactivation is a prerequisite for safe handling of high-risk infectious samples. β-Propiolactone (BPL) is an established reagent with proven virucidal efficacy. BPL primarily reacts with DNA, RNA, and amino acids. The latter may modify antigenic protein epitopes interfering with binding properties of affinity reagents such as antibodies and aptamers used in affinity proteomic screens. We investigated (i) the impact of BPL treatment on the analysis of protein levels in plasma samples using the aptamer-based affinity proteomic platform SomaScan and (ii) effects on protein detection in conditioned medium samples using the proximity extension assay-based Olink Target platform. In the former setup, BPL-treated and native plasma samples from patients with ovarian cancer (n = 12) and benign diseases (n = 12) were analyzed using the SomaScan platform. In the latter, conditioned media samples collected from cultured T cells with (n = 3) or without (n = 3) anti-CD3 antibody stimulation were analyzed using the Olink Target platform. BPL-related changes in protein detection were evaluated comparing native and BPL-treated states, simulating virus inactivation, and impact on measurable group differences was assessed. While approximately one-third of SomaScan measurements were significantly changed by the BPL treatment, a majority of antigen/aptamer interactions remained unaffected. Interaction effects of BPL treatment and disease state, potentially altering detectability of group differences, were observable for less than one percent of targets (0.6%). BPL effects on protein detection with Olink Target were also limited, affecting 3.6% of detected proteins with no observable interaction effects. Thus, effects of BPL treatment only moderately interfere with affinity proteomic detectability of differential protein expression between different experimental groups. Overall, the results prove high-throughput affinity proteomics well suited for the analysis of high-risk samples inactivated using BPL.

Two-Method Indoor Laboratory Instruction: How Effective Is It on Secondary School Students’ Performance in Physics?

This study probed the effectiveness of two-method indoor laboratory instruction on secondary school students’ performance in physics in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria. The quasi-experimental research design of the non-equivalent control group pre-test, post-test type was employed. The population for the study comprised 1,112 senior secondary two students offering physics in 18 schools in Jos metropolis, with the schools purposively obtained. The study sample consisted of 80 SSS II students obtained from two intact classes, one class each from two schools selected using simple random sampling technique. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were formulated. Physics Performance Test (PPT) was the instrument validated and used to gather data. The test-retest method was used to obtain the reliability of PPT and its coefficient was computed as 0.73 using Kuder-Richardson formula 21 (K-R 21). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while independent t-test of difference and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were the statistical tools used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The results revealed that students taught concepts of simple harmonic motion and elasticity using group indoor laboratory method performed better than their counterparts taught using individual indoor laboratory method; although male students performed slightly higher than their female counterparts after exposure to the two methods, gender was found to have no interaction effect on their performance; there was a significant interaction effect of treatments and gender on students’ performance in the study area, with the methods as source of interaction effect. Based on the findings, recommendations were made, which include that curriculum developers should ensure that laboratory teaching methods are included in physics curriculum in order to enhance students’ performance in the subject.

A Study of Learning Progression in Science of Class IX Students of Balangir District, Odisha

A Study of Learning Progression in Science of Class IX Students of Balangir District, Odisha

Investigating The Effect of Postharvest Application of Putrescine and Spermidine on Preserving Quantitative and Qualitative Properties of Grape Cv. Shahroudi

Grape is one of the most important and ancient fruits in the world that have been used by humans. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of post-harvest application of putrescine and spermidine polyamines on maintaining the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ‘Shahroudi’ grapes during storage. Factorial experiment with two polyamine factors including two types of polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, each in 3 concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mmol) and storage time (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 days) based on a completely randomized design in 2019. After treatment, the fruits were stored for 105 days at a temperature of 2 ° C and a relative humidity of 85-95% and their quantitative and qualitative characteristics were evaluated during storage. The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on fruit firmness, weight loss, anthocyanin content, titratable acidity, vitamin C and total soluble solids at the level of 1% probability and on pH at the level of 5% probability, but on the percentage of fruit juice It had no significant effect. Also, the effect of storage time on all traits was significant at the 1% probability level. However, the interaction effects of treatment and storage time showed a significant effect on total phenol, acidity and Total soluble solids at 1% probability level and a significant effect on pH at 5% probability level. In conclusion, considering maintain different properties using putrescine and spermidine during storage and delaying in senescence and increasing storage life of fruits of ‘Shahroudi’ grape, polyamines application as a postharvest treatment recommended.

Effect of different design and surface treatment on the load-to-failure of ceramic repaired with composite.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effect of different designs and surface treatments on the load-to-failure of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic repaired with nanofilled composite. Lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic slabs (IPS e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent) with three different designs of the top surface (flat, single plateau, or doubleplateau) (n=U) received 'no treatment', '5% HF etching', or "AI2O3 sandblasting". HF-etched and sandblasted slabs also received silane and universal one-step adhesive application. All slabs were incrementally repaired with nanofilled composite (Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE) up to6 mm above the highest ceramic top plateau. Specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37 °C for 21 days and then subjected to 1,000 thermocycles between 5 and 55 °C. The interface composite-ceramic of each specimen was tensile tested until failure in a universal testing machine and the mode of failure was determined under a stereomicroscope. The ceramic surface morphology of one representative tested specimen from each subgroup (design/surface treatment) was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Regardless of ceramic design, the absence of surface treatment resulted in significantly lower load-to-failure values. No significant differences in load-to-failure values were observed between HF-etched and sandblasted specimens for the flat design; however, HF etching resulted in significantly higher load-to-failure values than sandblasting for both single plateau and double plateau designs. The majority (60%) of HF-etched specimens with single plateau or double plateau presented mixed failures. SEM photomicrographs showed that HF-etched specimens had smoother surfaces than sandblasted specimens. The surface treatment of a defective lithium disilicate glass-ceramic restoration has more influence than its macroscopic design on the retention of the composite repair. HF etching seems to provide higher bond strength to the composite repair.

SunGold Kiwifruit and Psychological Health (GoKiPH): a randomised, crossover trial

Gold kiwifruit consumption and increased vitamin C intake have been associated with improved mood, vitality, and wellbeing in healthy individuals(1,2). However, to date, no studies have focussed exclusively on the efficacy of gold kiwifruit for improving such outcomes in participants with disturbed mood. A randomised crossover trial was undertaken to examine the efficacy of ZespriTM SunGoldTM kiwifruit for improving psychological wellbeing and vitamin C concentrations in adults with sub-clinical levels of mood disturbance. In a two-period, non-blinded crossover trial, N = 26 adults aged 21 to 60 years (M = 36.1, SD = 11.0) with mild to moderate mood disturbance were randomised to a counter-balanced sequence. Participants consumed 2x SunGold kiwifruit daily or their typical diet for four weeks, with a two-week washout between periods. The primary outcome was change in mood disturbance, with secondary outcomes including plasma vitamin C, wellbeing, vitality and gut health. Results indicated a significant time x treatment interaction effect for mood disturbance (F(2,107.3) = 6.19, p = ,003) with significant improvements in mood disturbance scores between baseline and post-intervention during the SunGold kiwifruit period. A significant time x treatment interaction effect for blood plasma vitamin C (F(2,98.5) = 3.65, p = ,029) also demonstrated increased vitamin C concentrations during the SunGold kiwifruit period. A significant time x treatment interaction effect for wellbeing (F(2,104.7) = 4.5, p = ,013) was evident with wellbeing significantly improved between baseline and post-intervention during the SunGold kiwifruit period. The time x treatment interaction for vitality approached significance (F(2,104.7) = 2.89, p = ,06) with increases in vitality following SunGold kiwifruit consumption. These results provide preliminary evidence that SunGold kiwifruit consumption improves psychological wellbeing in mood-disturbed adults, which corresponds to increased plasma vitamin C concentrations. Future research is required to replicate this effect and to further demonstrate the potential benefit of whole-food interventions for treating mood-disturbance.

Online Exercise Programs for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Reveals Comparable Effects of Global, Local, and Combined Approaches.

Specific neck exercises are recommended in the rehabilitation of chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNNP). They are unfortunately often accompanied by acute pain flare-ups. Global exercises might be a beneficial addition, as they activate endogenous analgesia without overloading painful structures. However, it is still unclear which type of exercise is most effective. This randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the effect of an online blended program of global and specific neck exercises, compared to programs including only 1 of both types of exercise. Forty-eight patients with CNNP were randomized into 3 groups. Online questionnaires were collected at baseline, at midtreatment, immediately after treatment, and at the 3-month follow-up. Quantitative sensory testing and actigraphy were assessed at baseline and after treatment. Linear mixed-model analyses were performed to evaluate treatment effects within and between groups. Neck pain-related disability after treatment was considered the primary outcome. No time × treatment interaction effects were found. All groups improved in neck pain-related disability, pain intensity, self-reported symptoms of central sensitization, local pain sensitivity, physical activity, and pain medication use. No effects were found on quality of life, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, widespread pain sensitivity, health economics, or actigraphy measurements. A higher global perceived effect was reported after performing the blended program, compared to the other groups. A blended exercise program was not superior to the stand-alone programs in reducing disability. Nevertheless, the global perceived effect of this type of exercise was higher. Future research necessitates larger sample sizes to adequately explore the optimal type of exercise for patients with CNNP. Exercise therapy should be an important part of the rehabilitation of patients with CNNP, regardless of the type of exercise.

Mitigating Salinity Stress in Pomegranate: Effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Glomus mosseae on Stress Responses of Red Angel and Wonderful Cultivars

Salinity stress is a major challenge in modern pomegranate orchards. The application of biofertilizers is a promising strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress and enhance the performance in pomegranates. This experiment was conducted in 2021 to investigate the effects of salinity stress (control, 4, and 8 dS/m) and inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Glomus mosseae, either individually or in combination (Pf+Gm), on Red Angel and Wonderful pomegranate cultivars. The results revealed a significant difference in the percentage of symbiosis and colonization among the biofertilizer treatments. Pf+Gm exhibited the highest percentages of symbiosis and colonization, followed by P. fluorescens. While salinity levels did not significantly affect symbiosis percentage, they had a detrimental effect on colonization percentage. Furthermore, biofertilizer treatments significantly increased leaf density, stem growth, total chlorophyll, and total anthocyanin, while reducing ion leakage and salinity damage index. In comparison to the non-inoculated control, the Pf+Gm treatment resulted in a 53.2 % decrease in ion leakage for the Red Angel cultivar and a 39.9 % decrease for the Wonderful cultivar. Salinity had a significant effect on proline production, with the Red Angel cultivar exhibiting the highest proline content (2.09 µmol/g) in response to salinity stress of 8 ds/m. However, biofertilizer treatments increased proline content in both cultivars. In Red Angel, the Pf+Gm treatment resulted in the highest proline production in the leaves (5.82 µmol/g), which was 123 % higher than that of the non-inoculated control. Additionally, the transpiration rate decreased with increasing salinity levels, and biofertilizer treatments had varying effects on photosynthetic gas exchange and electron transport rate. The interaction effect of biofertilizer treatments and salinity on CO2 absorption was highly significant, with Pf+Gm treatment exhibiting the highest absorption (8.51 and 8.61 µmol/m2/s in Red Angel and Wonderful, respectively). These findings suggest that applied biofertilizer treatments, especially Pf+Gm, can be an effective strategy for alleviating the negative effects of salinity stress on pomegranate cultivation.

Possibility of Enhancing Students’ Academic Performance in Electrolysis Using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and 3E’s Learning Models

This research investigated the possibility of enhancing senior secondary school students’ academic performance in electrolysis using Collaborative-Predict-Observe-Explain-Write (CPOEW) and Exploration, Explanation and Evaluation (3E’s) learning models. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design. Electrolysis Performance Test (EPT) was the instrument used for data collection. Kuder-Richardson (KR-21) formula was used to test the internal consistency of EPT which yielded a reliability value of 0.91. The population was 7,152 SS2 students offering chemistry in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 143 students drawn from 3 schools in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation scores while the null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed that there was significant difference in the mean academic performance of students taught Electrolysis using CPOEW, 3E’s model and discussion method [F2, 140=1943.116, P&lt;0.05]. The study revealed that there was no significant interaction effect of treatments and gender on the mean academic performance scores of students in electrolysis [F2, 140=114.340, P&lt;0.05]. It was recommended among others that to enhance students’ academic performance in electrolysis, serving teachers should be encouraged to use CPOEW and 3E’s learning models in teaching electrolysis.

Effect of varietal selection and nutrient management on productivity, soil fertility and economics of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

A field experiment was conducted at research farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, during 3 consecutive summer seasons of 2017, 2018 and 2019, to find out the influence of varietal differences and nutrient-management practices on crop productivity, soil fertility and economics in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Higher crop growth and yield were recorded under variety ‘TAG 24’; and 125% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with Rhizobium inoculation resulted higher growth, yield attributes and yield of groundnut followed by 100% RDF + Rhizobium inoculation. The nutrient (N, P and K) availability in soil after harvesting was also higher under ‘TAG 24’ variety with 125% RDF + Rhizobium. However, interaction effect of crop variety and fertilizer treatment was found insignificant. The pooled analysis of economics revealed that, higher benefit: cost ratio (2.73) was obtained under ‘TAG 24’ in combination with 100% RDF+ Rhizobium.

Effectiveness of Advanced Organizer Learning Strategies on the Achievement of Fiqh with Varied Cognitive Styles

This study aimed to ascertain the treatment variable's primary influence and interaction effect on learning achievement in the Fiqh course. This study used a quasi-experimental approach, namely the nonequivalent control group design. The participants of the study were divided into two classes, namely Class A and Class B. A random process is conducted in the selection of the study subject class. In contrast, allocating students within each class is considered a fixed entity (intact group) that cannot be altered. The gathered data underwent statistical inference processing utilizing the two-lane 2x2 variant analysis technique. The findings indicated significant variations in learning outcomes in Fiqh courses between two groups of students instructed using different advanced organizer strategies, namely mind maps and concept maps. Additionally, no significant disparity in student achievement in Fiqh courses was observed between students with field dependence and field independence cognitive styles. Furthermore, no interaction effect was found between the learning strategies of advanced organizer types (mind maps and concept maps) and field dependence and field independence cognitive styles on learning achievement in Fiqh courses. The descriptive statistics analysis indicates that implementing the mind map advance organizer strategy (mean 78.59) exhibits a higher level of effectiveness than the concept map advance organizer strategy (mean 67.61) in enhancing student academic performance. It can be inferred that the advanced organizer technique known as the mind map type is consistently more effective than the concept map type, irrespective of variations in cognitive styles. In essence, using mind maps as an advanced organizer by students renders the consideration of cognitive style unnecessary, as it does not exert a differential impact on enhancing academic performance.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions on the efficacy of atropine 0.01% eyedrops for myopia control - Findings from the Western Australia Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia study.

This study explored the impact of short-term coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions on the efficacy of atropine 0.01% eyedrops on myopia control in a multiethnic cohort of Australian children. In the Western Australia Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia study, 104 and 49 children were randomized to receive atropine 0.01% eyedrops and a placebo, respectively. We compared the 1-year myopia progression and axial elongation following the 2-month lockdown in 2020 to the same months in 2019 and 2021, i.e., the 1-year myopia progression up to May 2019-October 2019 (non-COVID-19) versus the 1-year progression up to May 2020-October 2020 (COVID-19 period), and the 1-year progression up to May 2021-October 2021 (non-COVID-19) versus the 1-year progression up to the same months in 2020. After excluding participants who withdrew, completed their treatment phase prior May 2020, or those whose study visits did not fall between May 2020 and October 2020, 65 participants (mean age at baseline = 11.8 ± 2.5 years) were included in the final analysis (49 in the treatment group; 16 in the placebo group). After correcting for age, sex, and ethnicity, there was no significant main effect of the short-term lockdown on the rate of spherical equivalent or axial length change. However, there was a lockdown × treatment interaction effect on the rate of axial elongation (P = 0.007). This was such that in the treatment group, the 1-year axial elongation was faster during lockdown by 0.056 mm compared to the nonlockdown periods (P = 0.009), while the rate of axial elongation in those on the placebo eye drops was similar during lockdown and nonlockdown. Our findings suggest that there is a decreased efficacy of low-concentration atropine even with relatively lenient restrictions lasting for a few months.

Dyslipidemia and Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke: A Post Hoc Analysis of the RICAMIS Study.

Ischemic conditioning-induced cardioprotection was attenuated by dyslipidemia in some animal and clinical studies, which is not investigated in patients with stroke. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the RICAMIS (Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke) trial to investigate the association of dyslipidemia on admission with the efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). In this analysis, eligible patients were divided into dyslipidemia and normal-lipid groups according to the levels of 4 blood lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), which were further subdivided into RIC and control subgroups. We analyzed the differences in functional outcome between RIC and control subgroups in dyslipidemia and normal-lipid patients, respectively, and the interaction effects of RIC treatment with blood lipid levels were evaluated. Among 1776 patients from intention-to-treat analysis, 1419 patients with data of blood lipid profiles were included in the final analysis. A significantly higher proportion of modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1 was identified in the RIC versus control subgroup across the normal-total cholesterol group (69.9% versus 63.5%; P=0.04), normal-triglycerides group (68.1% versus 60.5%; P=0.016), high-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol group (65.7% versus 57.7%; P=0.025), and normal-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol group (68.3% versus 60.5%; P=0.005). Similar statistical trends were found in the high-total cholesterol group (62.8% versus 55.5%; P=0.059), high-triglycerides group (67.8% versus 60.1%; P=0.099), normal-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol group (69.8% versus 63.7%; P=0.105), but no statistical significance was found in the low-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol group (63.4% versus 61%; P=0.705). Furthermore, no significant interaction effect of RIC intervention by blood lipid profiles was found. Similar results were obtained for lipids as continuous variables. Blood lipids on admission was not associated with the neuroprotective effect of RIC.