Validity Of Test Research Articles

Inter-laboratory comparison of real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) for the detection of chronic wasting disease prions in white-tailed deer retropharyngeal lymph nodes.

The rapid geographic spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) increases the need for the development and validation of new detection tests. Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) has emerged as a sensitive tool for CWD prion detection, but federal approval in the United States has been challenged by practical constraints on validation and uncertainty surrounding RT-QuIC robustness between laboratories. To evaluate the effect of inter-laboratory variation on CWD prion detection using RT-QuIC, we conducted a multi-institution comparison on a shared anonymized sample set. We hypothesized that RT-QuIC can accurately and reliably detect the prions that cause CWD in postmortem samples from medial retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) tissue despite variation in laboratory protocols. Laboratories from 6 U.S. states (Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) were enlisted to compare the use of RT-QuIC in determining CWD prion status (positive or negative) among 50 anonymized RPLNs of known prion status. Our sample set included animals of 3 codon 96 WTD genotypes known to affect CWD progression and detection (G96G, G96S, S96S). All 6 laboratories successfully identified the true disease status consistently for all 3 tested codon 96 genotypes. Our results indicate that RT-QuIC is a suitable test for the detection of CWD prions in RPLN tissues in several genotypes of WTD.

Creativity in sports: The crucial role of motor skills

What enables athletes to perform creative actions in their sports? In the last two decades, sports studies have predominantly assumed that divergent thinking (DT) is the key ingredient and have developed sport-specific DT tests to assess players’ creativity. However, a fundamental question remains: Do players who score high on sport-specific DT tests perform more creative actions on the field? The DT approach in sports has recently been challenged by the hypothesis that creative actions are primarily enabled (or limited) by players’ motor skill repertoires. Here, predictions based on the DT and motor skill approach are tested in the domain of soccer. Studies 1a and b tested male under-12 players, and Study 2 tested female under-19 players of a professional soccer club. All three studies indicated no correlation between the creativity of actions performed on the field (rated with the Consensual Assessment Technique) and players’ soccer-specific DT. In contrast, moderate to high correlations between on-field creativity and motor skills were found. These results challenge the DT approach in sports and the validity of sport-specific DT tests, highlighting the crucial role of sensorimotor skills in performing creative actions in sports or other domains in which creative performance is embodied through motor actions.

Testing Validity and Reliability of Cross-linguistic Lexical Task— Turkish (CLT-TR) in Preschoolers with and without at Risk of Language Disorder

Testing Validity and Reliability of Cross-linguistic Lexical Task— Turkish (CLT-TR) in Preschoolers with and without at Risk of Language Disorder

Child-Hayling test for French school-aged children: psychometric properties and normative data

ABSTRACT The Hayling Completion Sentence Test (HSCT) is dedicated to assess inhibition of the dominant response and includes two conditions, an automatic condition in which the participants are asked to complete sentences properly and an inhibition condition in which the participants were asked to produce a word completely unrelated to the sentence. The aim of our study was 1) to adapt, 2) to evaluate the psychometric properties and 3) to standardize the HSCT into a French-school-aged pediatric population. We developed the Child-Hayling Test, a child adaptation of the adult French version of the HSCT. The reliability and validity of the Child-Hayling Test were then evaluated in a sample of 134 children aged 6–11 years. In the inhibition condition, children had lower response latency, as they get older. No effect of gender was observed. Reliability indices were low to moderate. Concerning the convergent and divergent validity, response latencies in the Child-Hayling Test correlated with latency scores in the Barre-Joe inhibition test, whereas the Child-Hayling Test scores were not related to children’s lexical abilities. The Child-Hayling Test was then administered to 393 typically developing 6- to 11-year-old children. Normative data were calculated in the inhibition condition using a regression-based approach. Regression equations to calculate Z scores are provided for clinical use. In addition, we proposed a clear guideline on how to score children’s inhibition responses. The Child-Hayling Test provides a useful tool for assessing prepotent response inhibition in children and can be recommended for use in clinical research and practice.

Clinical validation of the Roche cobas HPV test on the Roche cobas 5800 system for the purpose of cervical screening.

This study assessed the relative clinical sensitivity and specificity, as well as reproducibility, for high-risk HPV types of the Roche cobas HPV test when processed using the Roche cobas 5800 system. The results from this study demonstrate that the cobas HPV test using the cobas 5800 system fulfils the Meijer criteria for use in population-based cervical screening. This clinical validation study also examines the clinical sensitivity and specificity based on partial genotyping, with separate detection of HPV16 and HPV18, compared with the Roche cobas 4800 HPV test, a second-generation standard comparator assay. The cobas HPV test has a relative clinical sensitivity of 1.000, when compared with the cobas 4800 HPV test to detect histologically confirmed CIN2+ lesions in woman aged 30 years or older, with a relative clinical specificity of 0.995. The general intra- and inter-laboratory agreement for the cobas HPV test on the cobas 5800 system for finding a HPV positive result were 99.1% and 99.6%, respectively.IMPORTANCEThis study demonstrates, for the first time, the clinical performance of the Roche cobas HPV test when processed using the new cobas 5800 system [cobas (5800)]. This study shows that the cobas (5800) demonstrates relative clinical sensitivity and specificity, when compared with a standard comparator HPV test, which meets the international HPV test validation requirements. Intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility also fulfills these criteria. The current study demonstrates that the cobas (5800) can be used for primary HPV-based cervical screening on cervical specimens.

Pengaruh Kualitas Produk, Gaya Hidup dan Kepribadian terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Sepeda Motor PCX di Kecamatan Blora Kabupaten Blora

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of product quality, lifestyle and personality on purchasing decisions for Honda PCX motorcycles in Blora Blora subdistrict, either partially or simultaneously. The research method used by the population is consumers who come to Honda motorbikes in Blora Blora Regency. The sample of this research is 96 respondents. Data collection techniques using a questionnaire. The analytical tools used are instrument tests (validity test, reliability test), classical assumptions (normality test, multicollinearity and heteroscedasticity test), hypothesis test (multiple linear regression analysis, t test, F test and coefficient of determination test (R2). The results showed that the variables of product quality, lifestyle and personality had a significant influence on purchasing decisions for Honda PCX motorbikes in Blora Blora District partially or simultaneously.

Методика «Ответственность у подростков»: разработка и описание

<p>The article presents the results of the development and standardization of the author’s methodology “Responsibility in Adolescents”, aimed at studying the basic mechanisms of responsibility and the areas of its implementation in the everyday life of older adolescents aged 16-19 years. The study was carried out on a sample of 240 schoolchildren in grades 10-11 and college students 1-2 years old. The methodology includes 27 statements. Its standardization was carried out in accordance with the necessary requirements for testing validity and reliability. Based on the results of exploratory factor analysis, 6 scales were identified that reflect the main components of responsibility: “Support”, “Self-control”, “Conscience”, “Social responsibility”, “Care for the environment”, “Avoidance of responsibility”. The scales have good internal consistency. Checking the convergent validity when comparing the general indicator of responsibility and the indicator of internality of the “Methods for diagnosing the level of subjective control” showed a significant correlation. The good psychometric indicators of the methodology and its portability allow us to recommend it for both individual and group work with adolescents.</p>

B-059 Development and Validation of Multiplex Quantitative Allergy Tests based on Automated Flow Fluorescence Immunoassay Analyzer

Abstract Background Serological allergy tests measuring allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) are simpler and safer than skin prick tests, and the results are not influenced by skin condition or human factors. Quantitative detection of sIgE can also aid in evaluating patient allergies and aiding subsequent treatment. Dymind has researched and developed novel quantitative allergy tests based on the automated flow fluorescence immunoassay analyzer system (MF1280), enabling quantitative detection of multiple sIgE in just one test with one sample. Here, we present the performance of tIgE and two specific IgE test kits using the Dymind MF1280 system. Methods This study evaluated the performance of total IgE (tIgE) and two allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) panels of inhalant and food allergens, inhalant allergen panel including d1 (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), d2 (Dermatophagoides farina), i6 (Cockroach), e1 (Cat epithelium), e5 (Dog epithelium), w1(Common ragweed), and food allergen panel including f1 (Egg white), f2 (Cow’s milk), f3 (cod), f23 (Crab), 24 (Shrimp), and f27 (beef). Evaluation criteria included precision, linearity, limit of detection (LOD) and method comparison. As clinical performance of 425 clinical samples collected from 2 hospital laboratory in China was evaluated by both of Dymind allergen IgE MF1280 system and Phadia ImmunoCAP. Results The validated linearity of total IgE and sIgE were 2.0-5000.0 IU/mL and 0.1-100.0 IU/mL respectively. The LOD of total IgE and sIgE determined to be 2 IU/mL and 0.1 IU/mL respectively. The precision was evaluated by assaying a low and a high samples of every sIgE assay and the result of d1, d2, i6, e1, e5, w1, f1, f2, f3, f23, f24, f27 were 3.73% / 1.34% (low sample / high sample), 3.26% / 1.95%, 2.18% / 0.87%, 1.31% / 1.40%, 3.63% / 1.13%, 2.84% / 4.76%, 4.50% / 1.53%, 5.97% / 1.64%, 3.46% / 1.11%, 1.58% / 1.73%, 3.77% / 1.28%, 1.78% / 0.96% respectively. The total mean coefficient of measurements was below 7% to ensure high precision in multiplex quantitative analysis. Method comparison of 425 clinical samples between Phadia ImmunoCAP and Dymind allergen IgE showed total concordance rate was over 85% except f2 (over 80%). Conclusions The Dymind Allergen-specific IgE test kits on the automated flow fluorescence immunoassay analyzer system provide fast and accurate in vitro diagnostic detection of tIgE and sIgE for aiding diagnostics specific allergens sensitization and treatment for allergy patients, with good precision and excellent agreement compared to ImmunoCAP. The MF1280 system has advantages including random access, fully automated, multiplex quantitative detection of allergen sIgE with reducing assay time, sample consumption and lower costs.

B-099 Validation and Clinical Implementation of Organ Procurement Serology Testing: Our Analytical and Regulatory Experience in Implementing a New Donor Testing Program

Abstract Background The Mount Sinai Hospital recently implemented a comprehensive organ donor testing program to service the clinical needs of transplant services in the New York City metro area. Conventional serology testing is not approved by the FDA for donor testing. To support this program, the MSH Chemistry Laboratory implemented and validated a comprehensive donor testing panel on the Abbott Alinity S donor testing platform. We validated donor serology testing for the following assays: HIV-1/2 (HIV), Anti-Hepatitis B Core (Anti-HBc), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Human T-lymphotropic virus I and II (HTLV-I/II), Anti-Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV), and Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies (T.Cruzi). The Alinity S System is an automated immunoassay-based analyzer FDA-approved for donor testing. The analyzer consists of two distinct sample ‘paths’ and is effectively two instruments combined in one analyzer. The analyzer is approved for use in living donor serum and plasma and in cadaveric serum. Prior to going live, we found that there was limited guidance on laboratory quality assurance programs related to donor testing. In addition to confirming assay analytical performance, we designed and implemented a comprehensive quality assurance program prior to satisfy compliance with regulatory guidelines, addressing proficiency compliance, sample TAT, and control ranges, amongst other quality indicators. Methods Inter and Intraday precision was assessed through replicate analysis of positive and negative controls, where 10 replicates of both controls were assayed on a single day, and one replicate of each control was assayed daily for 7 distinct days, results were represented as %CV. Result accuracy was assessed through split sample analysis of known serologically positive (n=20) and negative samples (n=40). Each sample was assayed on two distinct lots of reagents, each with its own unique calibration curve. Accuracy was confirmed in both living donor (n=30), and cadaveric samples (n=10). In addition, split sample analysis was performed between the Alinity S and FDA-approved donor testing assays in a reference laboratory (N=7). A carryover study was performed through the analysis of triplicate replicates of low, high, and then low controls. These analyses were performed for all 6 assays. Results Intraday precision using assay general controls afforded the following %CV: HIV: 3.1%, 6.5%; Anti-HBc: 1.3%, 2.6%; Anti-HCV: 3.3%, 11.7%; HTLV-I,II: 2.5%, 5.9%; T.Cruzi: 2.8%, 0%; HBsAg: 3.2%, 11.6%. Interday precision yielded the following in %CV: HIV: 2.9%, 10.0%; Anti-HBc: 3.0%, 5.6%; Anti-HCV: 3.3%, 3.4%; HTLV-I,II: 2.8%, 4.6%; T.Cruzi: 2.4%, 0%; HBsAg: 4.7%, 7.8%. Accuracy studies yielded 100% positive and negative correlation for all 6 assays in both living donor and cadaveric samples. In addition, there was a 100% serological correlation for samples compared to reference laboratories. Carryover studies showed no evidence of sample carryover. Conclusions The Abbott Alinity S shows acceptable assay precision on all 6 validated assays. The assays are serologically accurate in both cadaveric and living donor samples. As such, the assays and platform are acceptable for use in donor screening. We designed a unique quality assurance program including a comprehensive self-proficiency and instrument crosscheck program to ensure analyzer accuracy, as well as adherence to regulatory guidelines.

Test-retest and inter-rater reliability and construct validity of the 2-minute step test in individuals with Parkinson's disease

ObjectiveTo evaluate the test-retest and inter-rater reliability and construct validity of the 2-minute step test (2MST) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). MethodsTwo previously trained examiners applied the 2MST in two moments. Clinical measurements of PD were obtained using the following instruments: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale (H&Y), gait speed and cadence, 5-time Sit-to-Stand Test (5TSST) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). For reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated. For construct validity, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used. The agreement between the measurement in person and via recorded video was assessed by means of Bland-Altman plots. ResultsThe 2MST showed adequate test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.80, SEM = 10.59, MDC = 29.35) and excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.93, SEM = 4.49, MDC = 12.46). There was acceptable agreement between assessments made with in person and via video. A correlation magnitude above 0.50 was found between 2MST and gait speed, and a correlation magnitude between 0.30 and 0.50 with BBS, gait cadence, UPDRS and TUG. ConclusionThe 2MST presents adequate test-retest and inter-rater reliability and a valid construct to evaluate the aerobic endurance of individuals with PD.

Investigating the visual content of a commercialized academic listening test: Implications for validity

As incorporating visual modes in listening tests is gradually gaining traction in second language (L2) assessment, the inclusion of such visuals brings up questions about the role of visual modes in meaning-making during listening and test validity. In this study, we investigated the visual features of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) listening test through the application of the social semiotic multimodal framework. Our corpus comprised 300 visuals from 256 academic listening testlets published between 1996 and 2022. Unlike the past studies of social semiotic multimodal analyses that relied on qualitative methods, our study adopted a series of visualization and quantitative statistical analysis of frequency and dispersion measures, using the general linear model to examine the visuals from a social semiotic multimodal perspective. The results revealed significant variation in the visual structures of the testlets. Through applying a post-hoc analysis, we further proposed recommendations for further research on multimodal materials in listening assessment and discussed the implications of the observed variation for the validity of the IELTS listening test. This study may be considered one of the first attempts to examine L2 listening assessment from a social semiotic multimodal perspective that may inspire more investigations on multimodal listening.

Diagnostic Validity of the Comprehensive Attention Test in Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Diagnostic Validity of the Comprehensive Attention Test in Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Development and Validation of a Novel Night-Time Hazard Visibility Test.

Night-time driving is dangerous, with increased crash rates, particularly involving vulnerable road users. A Night-Time Hazard Visibility Test (NHVT) was developed and validated by exploring the effects of refractive and cataract blur on performance. The NHVT comprised video clips of night-time roads from the driver's perspective, including different hazards (pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles). Participants responded when they first recognized hazards requiring them to take evasive action to avoid a collision. In experiment 1, there were 16 young visually normal drivers (mean age = 22.3, standard deviation [SD] = 2.2 years) who completed 2 NHVT sets, viewed separately through best-correction and refractive blur (+1.00 diopter sphere [DS]). In experiment 2, a refined version of the NHVT was administered to an additional 16 young visually normal drivers (mean age = 21.1, SD = 1.2 years) with best-correction and cataract blur. The order of visual conditions and NHVT sets were counterbalanced. In experiment 1, refractive blur significantly reduced photopic visual acuity (VA) compared to best-corrected vision (+0.09 vs. -0.21 logMAR, P < 0.001) and delayed response times by 0.69 seconds (3.10 vs. 2.41 seconds, P < 0.001) compared to best-corrected vision. In experiment 2, cataract blur reduced VA compared to best-corrected vision (+0.03 vs. -0.17 logMAR, P < 0.001) and delayed response times by 0.63 seconds (2.92 vs. 2.29 seconds, P < 0.001). The NHVT was sensitive to refractive and cataract blur, providing preliminary support of its validity as a measure of night-time hazard visibility performance. The NHVT has potential as an off-road assessment of visibility for night driving and application for assessment of drivers with different refractive corrections and ocular diseases.

Hydraulic valve design methodology for hydro turbine control system

The control of the turbine and its equipment in a hydroelectric power plant requires the HPU (hydraulic power unit) to deliver large volumes of working fluid in a short time at specific optimum control parameters. The use of typical proportional flow control valves created by manufacturers of hydraulic components in low-pressure control systems is disadvantageous due to high pressure losses in the control chambers. This paper presents the methodology and test results while designing a hydraulic proportional valve for low pressure and high flow rate operation. CFD (computational fluid dynamics) theory was analyzed and characteristic values were determined. The validation of CFD tests through those on the test bench was carried out, correction factor was determined. A new proprietary solution was developed and a series of simulation studies were carried out to determine the flow characteristics depending on the degree of the opening of the proportional flow control valve.

TRNA-derived fragment tRF-30 propels diabetes-induced retinal microvascular complications by regulating STAT3 signaling.

Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) represent a novel class of non-coding RNA transcripts that possess specific biological functions. However, the involvement of tRFs in retinal microvascular diseases remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to reveal whether modulation of tRF-30 expression could attenuate pathological retinal neovascular diseases. Our findings demonstrate a significant upregulation of tRF-30 expression levels in both in vivo models of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and in vitro endothelial sprouting models. Conversely, inhibition of tRF-30 expression suppressed the formation of abnormal neovascularization in the retina in vivo, while reducing the proliferation and migration activity of retinal vascular endothelial cells in vitro. We also found that tRF-30 modulates retinal neovascularization through the tRF-30/TRIB3/signal transducer and activated transcription 3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, we validated a significant upregulation of tRF-30 expression levels in the vitreous humor of DR patients, with high levels of both validity and specificity in diagnostic testing. Collectively, our findings highlight a pro-angiogenic role for tRF-30 in DR. Intervening in the tRF-30 signaling pathway may represent a promising prevention and treatment strategy for retinal angiogenesis.

Improving the DSM-5 approach to cognitive impairment: Developmental prosopagnosia reveals the need for tailored diagnoses.

The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recommends diagnosing neurocognitive disorders (i.e., cognitive impairment) when a patient scores beyond -1 SD below neurotypical norms on two tests. I review how this approach will fail due to cognitive tests' power limitations, validity issues, imperfect reliabilities, and biases, before summarizing their resulting negative consequences. As a proof of concept, I use developmental prosopagnosia, a condition characterized by difficulties recognizing faces, to show the DSM-5 only diagnoses 62-70% (n1 = 61, n2 = 165) versus 100% (n1 = 61) through symptoms alone. Pooling the DSM-5 missed cases confirmed the presence of group-level impairments on objective tests, which were further evidenced through meta-analyses, thus validating their highly atypical symptoms. These findings support a paradigm shift towards bespoke diagnostic approaches for distinct cognitive impairments, including a symptom-based method when validated effective. I reject dogmatic adherence to the DSM-5 approach to neurocognitive disorders, and underscore the importance of a data driven, transdiagnostic approach to understanding patients' subjective cognitive impairments. This will ultimately benefit patients, their families, clinicians, and scientific progress.

Development and Validation of a Comprehensive English Test for Sophomore Students in Liaoning, China

The English proficiency of Chinese college students varies in different regions and majors. For college students, it’s of great importance to know their strengths and weaknesses in the process of language learning and to have targeted practice . For language teachers, it is quite significant to identify the problems and needs of students in English learning, to adjust the teaching methods and contents and to improve the teaching effect. At the same time, the feedback of the test results can also promote the school’s attention to and investment i n English teaching and promote the in depth reform of English teaching. In this procedure, a comprehensive English test is an effective way. This study describes developing and validating a comprehensive English test for sophomore students at Shenyang Univ ersity of Chemistry and Technology in Liaoning, China. The test is designed to assess students' English proficiency upon completing the "New Century College English Reading" course. The research employed a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative meth ods for test development and expert review with quantitative methods for statistical validation. The test development process included content analysis of course materials, creation of test specifications aligned with course objectives, and item writi ng. T he test covers four key language domains: listening, reading, translation, and writing. Validation is conducted through expert r eview using a content, construct, and face validity checklist. Five experienced English language teaching and assessment experts evaluated the test using a 15 item checklist with a 5 point Likert scale. Results showed high overall validity, with mean scores above 4.0 for content validity, construct validity, and face validity, indicating strong agreement among experts on the test' s validation. While the study provides strong evidence for the test's validity, limitations include the sample size and geographic scope. Future research directions include longitudinal studies to assess predictive validity and cross regional validation to evaluate the test's applicability across China's educational contexts. This study contributes to English language assessment in Chines e higher education in Liaoning province. It provides a validated tool that aligns closely with curriculum objectives and a ddresses the need for comprehensive language proficiency evaluation.

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) from a submaximal 20-m shuttle-run test accurately predict children's VO2peak, but when should we stop the test?

The purpose of the study was to explore the validity, test-retest reliability and affective responses of a submaximal 20-m shuttle-run test (20mSRT) stopped at 6 on the Eston-Parfitt (EP) scale. The secondary aim was to examine and compare two submaximal 20mSRT protocols with different RPE end points (EP6 vs. EP7) using previously published data. Twenty-five children (16 boys; 13.4 ± 1.0years; 162.1 ± 8.7cm; 49.1 ± 6.6kg) completed three exercise tests (graded exercise test [GXT], 2 submaximal 20mSRT). The EP scale and Feeling scale were used to measure RPE and affect, respectively. The two submaximal 20mSRTs were stopped after participants reported EP6. Individual speed-RPE relationships from the submaximal 20mSRTs were linearly regressed to predict peak speed and then used to estimate VO2peak. Previously published data (n = 25) used comparable methods, except that the participants stopped at EP7. In the EP6 protocol, a two-factor repeated measures ANOVA revealed non-significant Test and Sex main effects (p > 0.05). Reliability analysis revealed intraclass correlation coefficient of ~ 0.7 (95%CI [0.432,0.867], p < 0.001) between the submaximal 20mSRTs. Significant differences in end-test affect between the GXT and submaximal 20mSRTs were found (p < 0.001), with GXT more negative. ANOVA revealed no significant differences in end-test affect between EP6 and EP7 protocols; however, frequency count analysis revealed EP6 to result in more positive end-test affect. Submaximal 20mSRT utilising RPE may offer valid predictions in VO2peak while minimising negative affect. Test end points of EP6 and EP7 both offer valid predictions in VO2peak. EP6 may be more beneficial in avoiding negative affect, even though a reduction in test-retest reliability was observed.

Developing the Proficiency Level of Sophomore Fisheries Students through Contextualized Comics in Projectile Motion

Projectile motion finds applications in day-to-day activities and many of the students find it hard to grasp and comprehend. In this study, the goal was to craft and utilize a contextualized comics that serves as an intervention tool to address students’ low achievement on some concepts of kinematics, with emphasis on projectile motion. The study used one group pretest-posttest experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention tool. The paired t-test was also employed to compare students’ performance before and after using the contextualized comics. Shapiro-Wilk test was also utilized to determine whether the data follows a normal distribution in comparing the tests used. The participants of this study were 20 sophomore fisheries students. The contextualized comics was utilized by the students after the pre-test. Findings have remarkably revealed that before the utilization of the contextualized comics, participants were identified as not proficient on the concepts of projectile motion. This implies that the students did not master the lesson as prevailed in their MPS of 12.8% which is within the “not proficient” bracket. After the conduct of intervention with the contextualized comics, the students significantly scored higher in their post-test resulting in an MPS of 75.2% which falls under the “proficient” level. Through the validation of Shapiro-Wilk test which follows normal distribution, there is a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores after the implementation of the contextualized comics where p &lt; 0.001. Thus, it signifies that the contextualized comics was an effective intervention tool to enhance students’ performance on the least learned topic in physics.

Significant impact of the covid-19 pandemic on methane emissions evaluated by comprehensive statistical analysis of satellite data.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced various aspects of society, including environmental factors such as methane emissions. This study investigates the changes in methane concentrations in Seoul, South Korea, from 2019 to 2023, using TROPOMI satellite data and rigorous statistical analyses. The normality of the sample data is first assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk (S-W) and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) tests, indicating that the data can be considered to come from a normal distribution. The S-W test demonstrated superior discriminative power (highest statistical power: 0.8668) compared to the K-S test (highest statistical power: 0.4002), confirming the validity of parametric tests for our data. The S-W test shows better discriminative power than the K-S test in terms of sensitivity to departures from normality, particularly for small sample sizes. Based on this confirmation, parametric tests such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc tests (Bonferroni correction, Tukey's HSD, Scheffe's method) are employed to identify significant differences in methane levels across different years. The ANOVA results show a statistically significant difference in methane concentrations across years (p-value: , F-value: 26.572). Post-hoc analyses reveal no significant difference in methane concentrations between 2019 and 2020 (p-values: Bonferroni - 0.1045, Tukey's HSD - 0.397, Scheffe's - 0.1045), and no significant difference between 2020 and 2021 (p-values: Bonferroni - 0.917, Tukey's HSD - 0.840, Scheffe's - 0.917). However, a significant increase in methane levels is observed from 2022 to 2023 (p-values: Bonferroni - 0.0001, Tukey's HSD - 0.0002, Scheffe's - 0.0001), correlating with the "new normal" policy implemented in South Korea starting in November 2021 and effectively from the beginning of 2022. This suggests that changes in industrial activities and transportation patterns due to the "new normal" have contributed to higher methane emissions. Student's t-test and Welch's t-test were used to validate the ANOVA results. Permutation tests showed no significant difference between 2019 and 2020 (test statistic: -0.0096, p-values: 0.1191 for Student's and 0.1156 for Welch's). However, a significant difference was found between 2022 and 2023 (test statistic: -0.0172, p-value: 0.0001), confirming ANOVA results that indicated increased methane levels post-pandemic. This study provides a robust quantitative assessment of the pandemic's impact on methane levels and sets a methodological statistical approach for future research in the environmental research community.