The Effectiveness of a Customized Online Collaboration Tool for Teaching and Learning

BackgroundOnline collaboration tools have been identified as potentially effective means for enhancing student learning, motivation, and engagement in science education. However, their effectiveness in improving science education outcomes among middle school students remains uncertain.ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the impact of online collaboration tools on science education outcomes among middle school students, focusing on learning achievement, engagement, and motivation.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design with a pretest‐posttest control group was used in this study. A total of 60 eighth‐grade middle school students were involved in the study, with both the experimental and control groups comprising 30 students each. The experimental group incorporated the use of digital collaboration platforms, including Asana, Slack, and Team Viewer, as instrumental components of group project execution and discussion in their science lessons. Conversely, the control group adhered to the current educational approach in Turkey, characterized by the employment of an inquiry‐based learning strategy in their science instruction. Data was collected over eight weeks using a science achievement test, engagement scale, and science motivation scale.ResultsThe experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post‐test scores compared to the control group, suggesting that online collaboration tools positively impacted science education outcomes. Additionally, survey data indicated high levels of engagement and motivation among the experimental group students when using the online collaboration tools.ConclusionsThe findings support the notion that online collaboration tools can effectively enhance learning, motivation, and engagement in science education among middle school students. These results have significant implications for educators, educational institutions, policymakers, and curriculum developers. Further research is needed to examine the potential of these tools in various educational contexts and with different student populations. This will help broaden the understanding of how online collaboration tools can be integrated into diverse learning environments, potentially benefiting a larger number of students and further improving science education outcomes.

Examining a huge amount of data is a typical issue in any research process. However, different statistical processes and techniques play essential role to derive a meaningful conclusion from the presented enormous data. Control of type I error is highly essential for a researcher or statistician while dealing with comparisons test with more than two variables. Multiple testing statistical tests provides a structural system and minimizes the error rate by helping to derive meaningful accurate conclusions. Among the different multiple test procedures Tukey's honestly significant difference test (Tukey's HSD) is most common and popular techniques. The main objective of this study was to explore how significantly selection of confidence level or error rate can affect the rate of committing type I error while drawing conclusion. The effect of committing type I error with selection of confidence level or error rate was explored with citing suitable case study in a special education setting. The case study focuses cognitive effect of music on growth and enhancement of the motor behavior (running, jumping and sliding) of children with mild intellectual disability enrolled in the special school setting. ANOVA test was performed and the significance of selection of individual confidence level and simultaneous confidence level) in Tukey’s HSD test was described.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the role of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on the cyclic fatigue resistance and cutting efficiency of martensitic shape memory (SM) nickel–titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic instruments.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five HyFlex® CM instruments were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each and subjected to different DCT (–185° C) conditions based on soaking time: DCT 24 group: 24 h, DCT 6 group: 6 h, and control group. Each group was randomly subdivided for evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance in custom-made artificial canals (n = 15) and cutting efficiency in plexiglass simulators (n = 10). The cyclic fatigue resistance was measured by calculating the number of cycles to failure (NCF) and cutting efficiency was measured using the loss of weight method.Results:Increase in NCF of instruments in DCT 24 group was highly significant (P < 0.01; Tukey's honest significant difference). There was no difference in weight loss of plexiglass simulators in all the groups (P > 0.05; one-way analysis of variance). In conclusion, deep dry cryogenic treatment with 24 h soaking time significantly increases the cyclic fatigue resistance without affecting the cutting efficiency of SM NiTi endodontic instruments.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five HyFlex® CM instruments were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each and subjected to different DCT (–185° C) conditions based on soaking time: DCT 24 group: 24 h, DCT 6 group: 6 h, and control group. Each group was randomly subdivided for evaluation of cyclic fatigue resistance in custom-made artificial canals (n = 15) and cutting efficiency in plexiglass simulators (n = 10). The cyclic fatigue resistance was measured by calculating the number of cycles to failure (NCF) and cutting efficiency was measured using the loss of weight method.Results:Increase in NCF of instruments in DCT 24 group was highly significant (P < 0.01; Tukey's honest significant difference). There was no difference in weight loss of plexiglass simulators in all the groups (P > 0.05; one-way analysis of variance). In conclusion, deep dry cryogenic treatment with 24 h soaking time significantly increases the cyclic fatigue resistance without affecting the cutting efficiency of SM NiTi endodontic instruments.

Objective : We report the differences in final examination scores achieved by students at the culmination of two different teaching strategies in an introductory skills course. Methods : Multiple choice examination scores from six consecutive academic calendar sessions over 18 months (n = 503) were compared. Two groups were used: Cohort A (n = 290) represented students who were enrolled in the course 3 consecutive academic sessions before an instructional change and Cohort B (n = 213) included students who were enrolled in 3 consecutive academic sessions following the instructional change, which included a more active learning format. Statistical analyses used were 2-tailed independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD), and effect size. Results : The 2-tailed independent t-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups (t = -3.71, p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-4.20). Significant difference was found in the highest performing subgroup compared to the lowest performing subgroup in Cohort A (F = 3.343, p = .037). For Cohort A subgroups 1 and 2, Tukey's HSD was p < .028. In Cohort B, no difference was found among subgroups (F = 1.912, p = .150, HSD p > .105). Conclusion : Compared to previous versions of the same course taught by the same instructor, the students in the new course design performed better, suggesting that using active learning techniques helps improve student achievement.

A well formed senior design project is known to have significant benefits in terms of project outcome, student motivation, team cohesiveness, engagement, and student learning. Defining a good problem statement, forming a team of compatible and appropriately skilled students, and selecting an appropriate faculty mentor are critical aspects of project formation. Therefore, students in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University are encouraged to suggest project ideas, form teams, and have them approved by the course coordinator before the semester starts. While there is significant literature on senior design projects, most of the existing work is focused on activities after the problem is defined and the teams are formed. There is a lack of mechanisms and tools to guide the project formation phase in senior design projects, which makes it challenging for students and faculty to collaboratively develop and refine project ideas and to establish appropriate teams. To address this challenge, we have implemented an online collaboration tool to share, discuss and obtain feedback on project ideas, and to facilitate collaboration among students and faculty prior to the start of the semester. Through an online survey and questionnaire to students, we are exploring the impact of the collaboration tool on the senior design project formation process. In this paper we present the design of the tool and the results from our ongoing study in the senior design class at Purdue Mechanical Engineering.

Population differences in the postcrania of modern South Africans and the implications for ancestry estimation

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pertumbuhan bibit dua varietas nanas (Ananas comosus (L) Merr) varietas Gold Barrel dan N67-10 dengan teknik stek batang di Pusat Pembibitan Yagaji, Prefektur Okinawa. Percobaan dilaksanakan pada April-Desember 2022 di Pusat Pembibitan Yagaji, Okinawa. Percobaan yang dilakukan berupa perbanyakan bibit menggunakan teknik stek batang dua varietas nanas (Ananas comosus (L) Merr), yaitu varietas Gold Barrel dan N67-10 sebagai perlakuan. Setiap perlakuan diulang sebanyak 10 kali, sehingga terdapat 20 unit percobaan. Setiap unit diamati berdasarkan parameter yang ditetapkan per bulan selama 9 bulan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan analisis keragaman pada taraf nyata 5% dengan Tukey’s HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) menggunakan Microsoft excel. Hasil penerapan teknik pembibitan stek batang pada tanaman nanas (Ananas comosus (L) Merr) di Pusat Pembibitan Yagaji, Prefektur Okinawa memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap laju pertumbuhan tinggi tanaman dan diameter kanopi bibit tanaman nanas varietas Gold Barrel dan N67-10. Laju pertumbuhan tinggi tanaman varietas N67-10 mencapai 3,37 cm/bulan, sedangkan varietas Gold Barrel mencapai 2,86 cm/bulan. Laju pertumbuhan diameter kanopi varietas N67-10 mencapai 3,97 cm/bulan, sedangkan varietas Gold Barrel mencapai 4,73 cm/bulan. Varietas N67-10 umur 9 bulan memiliki rata-rata tinggi tanaman 30,4 cm, jumlah daun 17 helai dan diameter kanopi 35,8 cm. sedangkan pada varietas Gold Barrel umur 9 bulan memiliki rata-rata tinggi tanaman 25,8 cm, jumlah daun 16 helai dan diameter kanopi 42,6 cm.

This research aims to determine the effect of varieties and fertilization combinations between liquid organic fertilizer and manure and the interaction of both that provide the best growth and production. This research was carried out in the Religion Agro Tourism garden in Padanglampe Village, Ma'rang District, Pangkajene Regency and the Islands of South Sulawesi Province, from January to May 2020. The experimental design used was a split plot design with two factors, namely variety and a combination of liquid organic fertilizer with manure, variety as the main factor consisted of three levels, namely BISI-18 variety, NASA29 variety and Pertiwi-5 variety. The combination of liquid organic fertilizer with manure as a plot consists of four levels, namely Control, a combination of liquid organic fertilizer with chicken manure, a combination of liquid organic fertilizer with cow manure, a combination of liquid organic fertilizer with manure and cow manure . Data were analyzed by variance using the F Test. The difference in the mean value of the treatment would be tested with Tukey's HSD (honestly significant difference) test at the 0.05% level.The results showed that (1) The treatment of three varieties did not significantly affect all observed parameters. But the Pertiwi-5 variety tends to be the best compared to other varieties. (2) The treatment of fertilizer combination between liquid organic fertilizer and manure significantly influences all of the monitoring parameters. The combination of liquid organic fertilizer 5cc / l. Water with Chicken manure 15 tons / ha and Cow manure 15 tons / ha tend to have a pretty good effect, by showing the dry shell weight per hectare of 8.75 tons / ha. (3) The interaction between varieties with a combination of liquid organic fertilizer and manure does not significantly affect all observation parameters. But the interaction between Pertiwi-5 varieties with a combination of liquid organic fertilizer 5cc / l. Water with Chicken manure 15 tons / ha and Cow manure 15 tons / ha tend to be the best compared to other interactions

Improving methane production and phosphorus release in anaerobic digestion of particulate saline sludge from a brackish aquaculture recirculation system.

The lay public frequently access and rely on online information as a source of their medical knowledge. Many medical societies are unaware of national patient education material guidelines and subsequently fail to meet them. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the readability of patient education materials within the medical field of gastroenterology. Two hundred fourteen articles pertaining to patient education materials were evaluated with ten well-established readability scales. The articles were available on the websites for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), and the NIH section National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) post hoc analysis were conducted to determine any differences in level of readability between websites. The 214 articles were written at an 11.8±2.1 grade level with a range of 8.0 to 16.0 grade level. A one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD post hoc analysis determined the ACG was written at a significantly (p<0.05) more difficult level when compared to the AGA, the BSG, and the NIDDK websites. No differences were noted when comparing the ASGE website. None of the patient education materials were written at a level that met national guidelines. If the materials are redrafted, the general American public will likely have a greater understanding of the gastroenterology content.

Introduction: The objectives of endodontic therapy are to eliminate bacteria in the root canal system and obturate the prepared canal system in three dimensions. The objective of this study was to compare obturation units for (a) the rate of heating and (b) peak temperature reached. Methods: Seven configurations were examined: B&amp;L-Alpha II Down-pack; B&amp;L-Beta Mini Backfill; Elements-IC Down-pack and Backfill; and Woodpecker Fi-P Down-pack, Fi-G Backfill, and Fi-E Backfill. The experimental system was comprised of a thermocouple (Omega, 5TC-TT-K-40-36), MCP9600 thermocouple EMF converter (SparkFun, SEN-16295), and an ESP32 microcontroller to capture the data (SparkFun, DEV-22924). A python notebook was used to process the saved data and perform statistical analysis using the SciPy statistical method libraries. One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD(Honestly Significant Difference) were used to test for statistical differences. Results: One-way ANOVA on the down-pack and backfill units' data showed significant differences. According to the Tukey HSD findings, there were no significant differences in the Woodpecker Backfill products for both max temperature and rate of heating. The max temperature showed strong similarity (p=0.969), while the rate of heating showed a weaker significance (p=0.073) but was still above threshold. All other backfill units performed statistically differently. The down-pack units all performed statistically different in both max temperature and rate of heating, except for the Elements IC and Woodpecker Fi-P units with respect to the rate of heating (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: Statistically different performance among the seven obturation groups was observed when investigating rise to temperature time and setpoint temperature. All materials were LSUHSC-owned equipment, donated, or purchased with internal funds.

We read with interest the article by Lyu et al. [1], who conducted a search of the U.S. Vital Statistics Natality Files and found no significant evidence of a link between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and low birth weight and preterm births in the U.S. [1]. To gain further insight into the course of births during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted an electronic search of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Vital Statistics System to obtain data on infant deaths recorded from 2018 through 2023 [2]. Specifically, the database provides counts and death rates of infants less than 1 year of age occurring in the U.S., for all residents. The information from the death certificates is directly linked to the corresponding birth certificates. Results were downloaded as infant death rate ×1000 births. The mean mortality rate was calculated for the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) and compared to that of the two pre-pandemic (i.e., 2018–2019) and the two “endemic” (i.e., 2022–2023) years. Statistical differences were calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) post hoc test based on the total number of deaths, the mean death rate and its standard deviation (SD), with Statistics Kingdom. The information used for this analysis was taken from an anonymized and publicly available dataset, so that this study did not require ethics committee approval. The mean infant death rate ×1000 in the 2 years before the pandemic was 5.63 ± 0.4, decreased to 5.43 ± 0.01 in the first two pandemic years, and increased again to 5.61 ± 0.1 in the endemic period (Figure 1). The difference between the pre-pandemic years was statistically significant compared to the pandemic years (p = 0.029), resulting in a cumulative reduction in the infant mortality rate of −0.195 (95% confidence interval (CI), −0.037 to −0.353; p < 0.001; −3.5%), but not with the two endemic years 2022–2023 (p = 0.863) (Figure 1). The results of our analysis suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to have had a significant negative impact on the U.S. infant death rate, as infant mortality may have even declined by approximately 3.5% during the first 2 years of the pandemic. This finding is plausibly explained by several pandemic-related public health measures, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and lockdowns, which likely reduced the transmission of common respiratory infections that disproportionately affect infants, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Additionally, increased parental supervision during this period may have contributed to improved infant care and safety [3]. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in the National Center for Health Statistics at http://wonder.cdc.gov/lbd-current-expanded.html.

Rambling-trembling analysis of postural control in children aged 3-6 years diagnosed with developmental delay during infancy

Background:Since bacterial strains developed resistance against commonly used antibiotics and side effects became more serious, other alternatives have been postulated. There is an answer for this issue in ancient medicine. Many plants have been proved to provide antibacterial effect. In this study, Boswellia serrata (BS) and Nigella sativa (NS) were assessed to evaluate the antibacterial effect on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a) known as main pathogen of aggressive periodontitis.Materials and Methods:Broth microdilution method was used to obtain minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of crude extract of BS and NS. Furthermore, the logarithm of colony forming units grown in fresh brain heart infusion bacterial culture was assessed. Three groups including BS+ (containing only BS), NS+ (containing only NS), and BS-NS− (control group) were defined. For each group, the experiment was repeated 12 times.Results:MIC of BS and NS were 512 μg/mL and 128 μg/mL, respectively. No growth was observed in our negative control group. The mean ± standard deviation of logarithm of CFU/mL for BS, NS, and control group was 4.32 ± 0.36, 3.61 ± 0.3, and 5.57 ± 0.19, respectively. ANOVA test revealed significant difference (P values < 0.0001) of these groups which was later confirmed using the post hoc test of Tukey's honest significant difference (all P < 0.0001).Conclusions:Both BS and NS are effective against A.a which should be taken into account as appropriate ingredient for oral hygiene products.

To evaluate the relationship between calciferol (vitamin D), cobalamin (vitamin-B12), and Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) circulating levels in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), patients with DM type 2 (T2DM) without neuropathy, and healthy control groups. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Department of Internal Medicine, Namik Kemal University of Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey, between November 2020 and February 2022. Healthy, age, and gender matched volunteers who were admitted to the hospital for a check-up with no health problem constituted the control group (n=30). Cases diagnosed with T2DM (n=30) and those with DPN (n=30) comprised the experimental group. Stromelysin-1, calciferol, and cobalamin levels were analysed from blood samples from all groups using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a commercial kit. Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test was performed after one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for intergroup comparisons. Alpha significance level was accepted as.