Effects on Aesthetic Sensitivity of Developing Perception of Musical Expressiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Standifer, James A.

1970-01-01

An experimental group and control group were exposed to an innovative program of music education. The former group was composed of lower class children and the latter of middle class children. The greater success was achieved in working with the first group. (CK)

A new educational film control for use in studies of active mind-body therapies: acceptability and feasibility.

PubMed

Innes, Kim E; Selfe, Terry Kit; Alexander, Gina K; Taylor, Ann Gill

2011-05-01

The study objectives were to ascertain whether a novel educational film class is an acceptable and feasible comparison group for a randomized controlled trial regarding the effects of an active mind-body therapy on cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. Seventy-five (75) participants attended a baseline assessment visit and were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or an educational film (control) group. Both groups attended two 90-minute classes/week for 8 weeks, followed by a second assessment visit. Those not attending the second assessment were classified as dropouts. Over 60 films covering a range of topics relevant to the study population were evaluated; 15 were selected by consensus of at least 2 researchers and 1 layperson. Each film session followed the same format: an informal greeting period, viewing of the film, and a 15-minute postfilm discussion. To determine acceptability and feasibility of the film class, potential between-group differences in dropout and attendance were examined, and participant feedback given during class and on end-of-study questionnaires were evaluated. The relation between group assignment and dropout was not significant (χ(2) [1, N = 75] = 0.14, p = 0.71). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant between-group difference in number of classes attended for the yoga (X = 13.67 ± 3.10) versus film group (13.26 ± 1.97), F(1,63) = 0.39, p = 0.53). Participant feedback regarding the film program was positive. These findings support the feasibility and acceptability of this educational film control. Easy to standardize and tailor to a variety of populations, this film program may offer an attractive alternative to the more traditional educational control.

Pharmacy Students’ Performance and Perceptions in a Flipped Teaching Pilot on Cardiac Arrhythmias

PubMed Central

Ip, Eric J.; Lopes, Ingrid; Rajagopalan, Vanishree

2014-01-01

Objective. To implement the flipped teaching method in a 3-class pilot on cardiac arrhythmias and to assess the impact of the intervention on academic performance and student perceptions. Design. An intervention group of 101 first-year pharmacy students, who took the class with the flipped teaching method, were supplied with prerecorded lectures prior to their 3 classes (1 class in each of the following subjects: basic sciences, pharmacology, and therapeutics) on cardiac arrhythmias. Class time was focused on active-learning and case-based exercises. Students then took a final examination that included questions on cardiac arrhythmias. The examination scores of the intervention group were compared to scores of the Spring 2011 control group of 105 first-year students who took the class with traditional teaching methods. An online survey was conducted to assess student feedback from the intervention group. Assessment. The mean examination scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than the mean examination scores of the control group for the cardiac arrhythmia classes in pharmacology (with 89.6 ± 2.0% vs 56.8 ± 2.2%, respectively) and therapeutics (89.2 ± 1.4% vs 73.7 ± 2.1%, respectively). The survey indicated higher student satisfaction for flipped classes with highly rated learning objectives, recordings, and in-class activities. Conclusion. Use of the flipped teaching method in a 3-class pilot on cardiac arrhythmias improved examination scores for 2 of the 3 classes (pharmacology and therapeutics). Student satisfaction was influenced by the quality of the learning objectives, prerecorded lectures, and inclass active-learning activities. PMID:25657372

A comparision of Twin-block and Forsus (FRD) functional appliance--a cephalometric study.

PubMed

Mahamad, Irfanulla Khan; Neela, Praveen Kumar; Mascarenhas, Rohan; Husain, Akhter

2012-01-01

The aim was to compare the effects of Twin-block & Forsus (FRD) functional appliances in the correction of Angles Class II division 1 malocclusions. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 25 patients who underwent treatment with twin block for the correction of class II div 1 were compared with 25 patients who underwent treatment with Forsus appliance. These were again compared with the pre follow up and post follow up lateral cephalograms of 25 patients who have not undergone any treatment during this period. All the 3 group patients were compared for skeletal, dental and soft tissue parameters. Cephalometric analysis revealed that both Twin-block & Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) appliances stimulated mandibular growth. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were found. Twin-block patients showed statistically very high significant (p < 0.001) increase in mandibular length (6.02 mm) whereas Forsus appliance patients showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in mandibular length (1.6 mm) when compared with control group (0.3 mm). No significant restriction of maxillary growth was found in either of the two experimental groups when compared to control group. Significant increase in lower anterior facial height & posterior facial height was observed in both experimental groups in relation to control group. Significant reduction of overjet and overbite was observed in both experimental groups. Class I molar relationship and improvement in the soft tissue profile were achieved in both treatment groups compared with control group. Both Twin Block and Forsus were effective in the treatment of Class II Div 1 malocclusion. Class II correction with Twin-block is more due to mandibular skeletal and dentoalveolar changes whereas in Forsus, it is more due to dentoalveolar changes and less skeletal changes.

Morphometric analysis of long-term dentoskeletal effects induced by treatment with Balters bionator.

PubMed

Bigliazzi, Renato; Franchi, Lorenzo; Bertoz, André Pinheiro de Magalhães; McNamara, James A; Faltin, Kurt; Bertoz, Francisco Antonio

2015-09-01

To evaluate the long-term effects of the standard (Class II) Balters bionator in growing patients with Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion by using morphometrics (thin-plate spline [TPS] analysis). Twenty-three Class II patients (8 male, 15 female) were treated consecutively with the Balters bionator (bionator group). The sample was evaluated at T0, start of treatment; T1, end of bionator therapy; and T2, long-term observation (including fixed appliances). Mean age at the start of treatment was 10 years 2 months (T0); at posttreatment, 12 years 3 months (T1); and at long-term follow-up, 18 years 2 months (T2). The control group consisted of 22 subjects (11 male, 11 female) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed at the three time points for all groups. TPS analysis evaluated statistical differences (permutation tests) in the craniofacial shape and size between the bionator and control groups. TPS analysis showed that treatment with the bionator is able to produce favorable mandibular shape changes (forward and downward displacement) that contribute significantly to the correction of the Class II dentoskeletal imbalance. These results are maintained at a long-term observation after completion of growth. The control group showed no statistically significant differences in the correction of Class II malocclusion. This study suggests that bionator treatment of Class II malocclusion produces favorable results over the long term with a combination of skeletal and dentoalveolar shape changes.

Understanding Mathematic Concept in Relation and Function Method through Active Learning Type Group to Group Distributed LKS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudri, F.; Rahmi, R.; Haryono, Y.

2018-04-01

This research is motivated by the lack of understanding of mathematical concepts students and teachers have not familiarize students discussed in groups. This researchaims to determine whether an understanding of mathematical concepts junior class VIII SMPN 2 in Ranah Batahan Kabupaten Pasaman Barat by applying active learning strategy group to group types with LKS better than conventional learning. The type of research is experimental the design of randomized trials on the subject. The population in the study were all students VIII SMPN 2 Ranah Batahan Kabupaten Pasaman Barat in year 2012/2013 which consists of our class room experiment to determine the grade and control class with do nerandomly, so that classes VIII1 elected as a experiment class and class VIII4 as a control class. The instruments used in the test empirically understanding mathematical concepts are shaped by the essay with rt=0,82 greater than rt=0,468 means reliable tests used. The data analysis technique used is the test with the help of MINITAB. Based on the results of the data analisis known that both of the sample are normal and homogenity in real rate α = 0,05, so the hypothesis of this research is received. So, it can be concluded students’ understanding mathematical concept applied the active Group to Group learning strategy with LKS is better than the students’ understanding mathematical concept with Conventional Learning.

Discussion map and cooking classes: testing the effectiveness of teaching food safety to immigrants and refugees.

PubMed

Gold, Abby; Yu, Nan; Buro, Brandy; Garden-Robinson, Julie

2014-01-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of a food safety map as an educational method with English language learners. English language learner community members (n = 73) were assigned randomly to participate in 1 of 3 experimental conditions: food safety map, cooking class, and control. Participants in the food safety map and cooking class conditions completed a pre-education demographic and cooking history questionnaire, a post-education knowledge and intention questionnaire, and a 2-week post-cooking and food safety habits assessment. Participants in the control group received no educational training but completed the pre- and 2-week post-education assessments. The cooking class and the map class were both effective in increasing food safety knowledge. Specifically, by comparing with the control group, they significantly increased participants' knowledge of safely cooking large meat (χ² [df = 2, n = 66] = 40.87; P < .001; V* = .79) and correctly refrigerating cooked food (χ² [df = 2, n = 73] = 24.87, P < .001; V* = .58). The two class types generated similar positive educational effects on boosting food safety behavioral intention (measured right after the class). The data collected 2 weeks after the classes suggested that individuals who took the classes followed the suggested food behaviors more closely than those in the control group (P < .01). The food safety map is simple to use and prepare, beneficial for oral and visual learners, and inexpensive. Compared with a food safety cooking class, the map produces similar learning and behavioral outcomes. Copyright © 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pulmonary phospholipids in amniotic fluid of pathologic pregnancies: relationship with clinical status of the newborn.

PubMed

Zapata, A; Hernandez-Garcia, J M; Grande, C; Martinez, I; Perez, J; de la Fuente, P; Usandizaga, J A

1989-06-01

We evaluated phospholipids, C-peptide and cortisol levels in amniotic fluid of 203 pathologic pregnancies (63, class A, B and C diabetics; 11 class D, F and H diabetics; 44 preclampsia and 85 Rh-isoimmunization); the control group was 82 normal pregnant women. There was an acceleration of fetal pulmonary maturation in women with preclampsia and severe Rh-isoimmunization in class D, F and H diabetics (at 34 weeks gestation the incidence of mature surfactant (lecithin/sphingomyelin greater than or equal to 2.7 and presence of phosphatidyl-glycerol) in these groups was 30%, 50% and 100%, respectively, while it was zero in the control group). At 37 and 38 weeks only 44.4% of the class A, B and C diabetics had mature surfactant and there was a significant difference with respect to the control group (x2 = 4.9; p less than 0.05); C-peptide levels in these diabetics (class A, B and C) were higher than in controls (p less than 0.001); in pregnant women with accelerated fetal lung maturation they were lower. We demonstrated a close relationship between fetal pulmonary maturity and the type of surfactant in amniotic fluid, which was independent of gestational age.

The efficacy of focus group discussion in teaching ESP speaking skill for prospective vocational school teacher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurmasitah, Sita; Faridi, Abdurrachman; Utomo, Aryo Baskoro; Astuti, Pudji

2018-03-01

The aims of the study were to implement the focus group discussion in teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) speaking skill for prospective Vocational School teacher and also to find out its effectiveness in improving their English speaking skill in ESP course. Quasi-experimental design was employed in this research. Thirty students of Family Welfare Vocational Education Study Program who were taking ESP course, were divided into two classes; experimental and control class. The research data were collected through interview, observation and the students' speaking assessment. The result showed that the implementation of focus group discussion method in the experimental class effectively increased the students' speaking skill compared to the control class.

Occlusal Support and Temporomandibular Disorders Among Elderly Vietnamese.

PubMed

Nguyen, Minh Son; Jagomägi, Triin; Nguyen, Toai; Saag, Mare; Voog-Oras, Ülle

The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between missing teeth, occlusal support, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among elderly Vietnamese. The study consisted of 145 TMD and 112 non-TMD (control group) participants aged 65 to 74 years. TMD was evaluated using Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I. An occlusal unit (OU) was defined as the cusp of a tooth coupled with the fossa of its antagonist tooth. A premolar pair was counted as one OU and a molar pair as two OUs. Dentition was divided into four occlusal support zones (OSZs) based on occluding pairs of posterior teeth by using Eichner classification: Class A had 4 OSZs, Class B had 1 to 3 OSZs or only anterior teeth, and Class C had no OSZ. The TMD group lost significantly more posterior teeth (mean ± SD 5.1 ± 4.7) than the control group (4.0 ± 3.9, P = .033). The mean ± SD OUs of the TMD and control groups were 5.1 ± 4.6 and 6.0 ± 4.3, respectively, which was nonsignificant (NS). The distribution of Class A (40.7%), Class B (40.0%), and Class C (19.3%) among the TMD group was not significantly different from the control group (50.0%, 38.4%, and 11.6%, respectively, NS). The odds of having TMD were positively associated with total unilateral loss of OUs (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2-9.4, P = .020) and total bilateral loss of OUs (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2-6.6, P = .027). Total loss of OSZs on one or both sides of the mouth were found to be predictors of TMD among elderly Vietnamese.

Classroom Research: Writing Assessment in Paired and Separate History and English Classes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Messina, Susan; White, Diane

In fall 1991, Solano Community College (California) undertook a study comparing the writing skills of students in an integrated course combining history and freshman English composition with students in unpaired history and English classes. Students were divided into three groups: the integrated class and two control groups, one taking history…

Investigating preferences for mosquito-control technologies in Mozambique with latent class analysis.

PubMed

Smith, Rachel A; Barclay, Victoria C; Findeis, Jill L

2011-07-21

It is common practice to seek the opinions of future end-users during the development of innovations. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate latent classes of users in Mozambique based on their preferences for mosquito-control technology attributes and covariates of these classes, as well as to explore which current technologies meet these preferences. Surveys were administered in five rural villages in Mozambique. The data were analysed with latent class analysis. This study showed that users' preferences for malaria technologies varied, and people could be categorized into four latent classes based on shared preferences. The largest class, constituting almost half of the respondents, would not avoid a mosquito-control technology because of its cost, heat, odour, potential to make other health issues worse, ease of keeping clean, or inadequate mosquito control. The other three groups are characterized by the attributes which would make them avoid a technology; these groups are labelled as the bites class, by-products class, and multiple-concerns class. Statistically significant covariates included literacy, self-efficacy, willingness to try new technologies, and perceived seriousness of malaria for the household. To become widely diffused, best practices suggest that end-users should be included in product development to ensure that preferred attributes or traits are considered. This study demonstrates that end-user preferences can be very different and that one malaria control technology will not satisfy everyone.

Intratympanic treatment of intractable unilateral Meniere disease: gentamicin or dexamethasone? A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Casani, Augusto Pietro; Piaggi, Paolo; Cerchiai, Niccolò; Seccia, Veronica; Franceschini, Stefano Sellari; Dallan, Iacopo

2012-03-01

To determine the efficacy and safety of low-dose intratympanic gentamicin (ITG) compared with intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) in patients with intractable unilateral Ménière disease (MD). Open prospective randomized controlled study. Tertiary referral center. Sixty patients affected by definite unilateral MD were enrolled between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. Thirty-two patients were treated with a buffered gentamicin solution injected in the middle ear (maximum of 2 injections); 28 patients were treated with ITD (4 mg/mL, 3 injections at intervals of 1 every 3 days). Mean outcome measurements consisted of control of vertigo attacks, pure tone average (PTA), speech discrimination score, functional disability score, and statistical analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance. In the ITG group at 2-year follow-up, complete control of vertigo (class A) was achieved in 26 patients (81%) and substantial control of vertigo (class B) in 4 patients (12.5%). In the ITD group, class A was achieved in 12 (43%), and class B in 5 (18%) patients. In the gentamicin group, 4 patients showed a reduction in PTA of ≥10 dB. In the ITD group, PTA was unchanged or slightly improved in 16 patients (belonging to class A-B) and worse in 12. Low-dose ITG achieved better outcome than ITD in the control of vertigo attacks in patients suffering from unilateral MD, with a very low incidence of hearing deterioration. ITD offers poorer vertigo control rate, and hearing preservation is achieved only in cases with no vertigo recurrences.

Tacrolimus for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with pure class V nephritis.

PubMed

Szeto, C-C; Kwan, B C-H; Lai, F M-M; Tam, L-S; Li, E K-M; Chow, K-M; Gang, W; Li, P K-T

2008-11-01

The treatment of pure membranous (class V) lupus nephropathy remains unsatisfactory. We studied the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in the treatment of membranous nephritis secondary to SLE. We recruited 18 consecutive SLE patients (tacrolimus group) with recently confirmed biopsy-proven class V lupus nephritis. They were treated with a tailing dose of oral prednisolone and tacrolimus 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/day for 6 months, followed by maintenance prednisolone and AZA. The rate of resolution of proteinuria and SLEDAI were compared with 19 historical controls treated with oral cyclophosphamide or AZA (control group). All patients were followed for 12 months. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. For the tacrolimus group, the complete and partial remission rates were 27.8 and 50.0%, respectively at 12 weeks; for the control group, they were 15.8 and 47.4%, respectively (overall chi-square test, P = 0.5). However, tacrolimus group had faster resolution of proteinuria than the control group by the general linear model with repeated measures (P = 0.032). At 12 weeks, proteinuria was reduced by 76.2 +/- 17.0% for the tacrolimus group and 47.1 +/- 51.1% for the control group (P = 0.028). Serial change in renal function and SLEDAI score did not differ between the groups. During the study period, four patients of the tacrolimus group, and 11 of the control group, developed lupus flare (P = 0.027). There was no serious adverse effect in the tacrolimus group. A 6-month course of tacrolimus is a safe and effective treatment of pure class V (membranous) lupus nephritis. As compared with conventional cytotoxic treatment, tacrolimus possibly results in a faster resolution of proteinuria, and a lower risk of lupus flare within 1 yr. The long-term effect and optimal regimen of tacrolimus require further study.

An Investigation of Effectiveness of Conceptual Change Text-oriented Instruction on Students' Understanding of Solution Concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinarbaşi; , Tacettin; Canpolat, Nurtaç; Bayrakçeken, Samih; Geban, Ömer

2006-12-01

This study investigated the effect of conceptual change text-oriented instruction over traditional instruction on students' understanding of solution concepts (e.g., dissolving, solubility, factors affecting solubility, concentrations of solutions, types of solutions, physical properties of solutions) and their attitudes towards chemistry. The sample of this study consisted of 87 undergraduate students from two classes enrolled in an introductory chemistry course. One of the classes was assigned randomly to the control group, and the other class were assigned randomly to the experimental group. During teaching the topic of solution concepts in the chemistry curriculum, a conceptual change text-oriented instruction was applied in the experimental group whereas traditional instruction was followed in the control group. The results showed that the students in the experimental group performed better with respect to solution concepts. In addition, it has been found that there was no significant difference between the attitudes of students in the experimental and control groups towards chemistry.

40 CFR 82.3 - Definitions for class I and class II controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... sell one (1) kilogram of class I, Group VI controlled substances from inventory produced or imported... for pre-plant uses means the privilege granted by this subpart to produce or import one (1) kilogram... substance at a destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater, using one of the destruction technologies...

40 CFR 82.3 - Definitions for class I and class II controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... sell one (1) kilogram of class I, Group VI controlled substances from inventory produced or imported... for pre-plant uses means the privilege granted by this subpart to produce or import one (1) kilogram... substance at a destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater, using one of the destruction technologies...

40 CFR 82.3 - Definitions for class I and class II controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... sell one (1) kilogram of class I, Group VI controlled substances from inventory produced or imported... for pre-plant uses means the privilege granted by this subpart to produce or import one (1) kilogram... substance at a destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater, using one of the destruction technologies...

40 CFR 82.3 - Definitions for class I and class II controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... sell one (1) kilogram of class I, Group VI controlled substances from inventory produced or imported... for pre-plant uses means the privilege granted by this subpart to produce or import one (1) kilogram... substance at a destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater, using one of the destruction technologies...

40 CFR 82.3 - Definitions for class I and class II controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... sell one (1) kilogram of class I, Group VI controlled substances from inventory produced or imported... for pre-plant uses means the privilege granted by this subpart to produce or import one (1) kilogram... substance at a destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater, using one of the destruction technologies...

Development of a Test for an Experimental Research Program in Creative Problem Solving. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miles, David T.

The purpose of this first phase of a continuing research program was the development of a test of creative problem solving in general design. A design class of 186 members was divided into an experimental and control group; a non-design control group (an educational psychology class) of 45 was also tested. Multivariate interpretation of creative…

The effect of first ballet classes in the community on various postural parameters in young girls.

PubMed

Moller, Anna; Masharawi, Youssef

2011-11-01

To examine the effect of first season ballet classes in the community on the thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), hip external rotation (ER) and joint flexibility in young girls. Longitudinal single blinded cohort control study. Institutional. 30 girls aged 6-9, recruited from the same primary school were divided equally into 2 groups: a group bi-weekly community ballet class and a sedentary control group. All girls were assessed prior to ballet classes (t(0)), at the conclusion (t(1)) (6 months), and approximately one year later (t(fu)). Beighton score for joint hyper-flexibility, peak of TK and LL, range of hip ER, ratio TK/LL, and individual's height, weight and BMI. LL at t1 became greater in the ballet girls' group (23.7°± 6) as opposed to the controls (19.5°±3.9) due to a decrease in LL in the controls from t0 to t1 (mean difference = -16.5°) (cut-off score = 3.45°) (p < 0.05). TK decreased from t0 to t1 in the ballet girls' group (mean difference = -26.1°) and controls (mean difference = -31.3°) (cut-off score = 4.85°) (p < 0.05). Left hip ER decreased only in the controls from t0 to t1 (mean difference = -13.8°) (cut-off score = 5.43°) (p < 0.05). Beighton score at tfu was greater in the ballet girls' group (6.1 ± 2.3) as opposed to the controls (4.4 ± 1.5) (p < 0.05). First season ballet classes for young girls in the community can be associated with relatively greater LL, and left hip ER and joint hyper-flexibility. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of real-time electronic alerting of acute kidney injury on therapeutic intervention and progression of RIFLE class.

PubMed

Colpaert, Kirsten; Hoste, Eric A; Steurbaut, Kristof; Benoit, Dominique; Van Hoecke, Sofie; De Turck, Filip; Decruyenaere, Johan

2012-04-01

To evaluate whether a real-time electronic alert system or "AKI sniffer," which is based on the RIFLE classification criteria (Risk, Injury and Failure), would have an impact on therapeutic interventions and acute kidney injury progression. Prospective intervention study. Surgical and medical intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 951 patients having in total 1,079 admission episodes were admitted during the study period (prealert control group: 227, alert group: 616, and postalert control group: 236). Three study phases were compared: A 1.5-month prealert control phase in which physicians were blinded for the acute kidney injury sniffer and a 3-month intervention phase with real-time alerting of worsening RIFLE class through the Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology telephone system followed by a second 1.5-month postalert control phase. A total of 2593 acute kidney injury alerts were recorded with a balanced distribution over all study phases. Most acute kidney injury alerts were RIFLE class risk (59.8%) followed by RIFLE class injury (34.1%) and failure (6.1%). A higher percentage of patients in the alert group received therapeutic intervention within 60 mins after the acute kidney injury alert (28.7% in alert group vs. 7.9% and 10.4% in the pre- and postalert control groups, respectively, p μ .001). In the alert group, more patients received fluid therapy (23.0% vs. 4.9% and 9.2%, p μ .01), diuretics (4.2% vs. 2.6% and 0.8%, p μ .001), or vasopressors (3.9% vs. 1.1% and 0.8%, p μ .001). Furthermore, these patients had a shorter time to intervention (p μ .001). A higher proportion of patients in the alert group showed return to a baseline kidney function within 8 hrs after an acute kidney injury alert "from normal to risk" compared with patients in the control group (p = .048). The real-time alerting of every worsening RIFLE class by the acute kidney injury sniffer increased the number and timeliness of early therapeutic interventions. The borderline significant improvement of short-term renal outcome in the RIFLE class risk patients needs to be confirmed in a large multicenter trial.

Research on same-gender grouping in eighth-grade science classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friend, Jennifer Ingrid

This study examined two hypotheses related to same-gender grouping of eighth-grade science classes in a public middle-school setting in suburban Kansas City. The first hypothesis, male and female students enrolled in same-gender eighth-grade science classes demonstrate more positive science academic achievement than their male and female peers enrolled in mixed-gender science classes. The second hypothesis, same-gender grouping of students in eighth-grade science has a positive effect on classroom climate. The participants in this study were randomly assigned to class sections of eighth-grade science. The first experimental group was an eighth-grade science class of all-male students (n = 20) taught by a male science teacher. The control group used for comparison to the male same-gender class consisted of the male students (n = 42) in the coeducational eighth-grade science classes taught by the same male teacher. The second experimental group was an eighth-grade science class of all-female students (n = 23) taught by a female science teacher. The control group for the female same-gender class consisted of female students (n = 61) in the coeducational eighth-grade science classes taught by the same female teacher. The male teacher and the female teacher did not vary instruction for the same-gender and mixed-gender classes. Science academic achievement was measured for both groups through a quantitative analysis using grades on science classroom assessment and overall science course grades. Classroom climate was measured through qualitative observations and through qualitative and quantitative analysis of a twenty-question student survey administered at the end of each trimester grading period. The results of this study did not indicate support for either hypothesis. Data led to the conclusions that same-gender grouping did not produce significant differences in student science academic achievement, and that same-gender classes did not create a more positive classroom climate for male or female students. There is evidence in the literature to support further investigations in gender differences in science education to address the unique needs of male and female students in order to create gains in student science achievement and to encourage positive attitudes toward science.

Comparison of the effect of BCAA granules on between decompensated and compensated cirrhosis.

PubMed

Habu, Daiki; Nishiguchi, Shuhei; Nakatani, Shinji; Lee, Chulyoo; Enomoto, Masaru; Tamori, Akihiro; Takeda, Tadashi; Ohfuji, Satoko; Fukushima, Wakaba; Tanaka, Takashi; Kawamura, Etsuji; Shiomi, Susumu

2009-01-01

We designed a randomized trial to examine whether increase or preservation of serum albumin levels was attained with administration of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) granules for compensated cirrhosis, compared with decompensated cirrhosis. Sixty-five patients with HCV-related cirrhosis with serum albumin level less than 4.0 g/dl were enrolled in this study. Half of the patients were randomly assigned to receive 14.22 g/day of BCAA granules orally, and half were assigned to a control group. Patients were evaluated at entry and at 1-year intervals for at least 2 years. The parameters were divided into 3 categories. Class 1 was decompensated cirrhosis with serum albumin level less than 3.5 mg/dl. Class 2 was compensated cirrhosis with serum albumin level over 3.6 mg/dl and molar ratio of BCAA to tyrosine (BTR) less than 4. Class 3 was compensated cirrhosis with serum albumin level over 3.6 mg/dl and BTR over 4. In class 1 and class 2, the BCAA group exhibited significantly higher rates of maintaining serum albumin level than the control group for 2 years. In contrast, there was no significant difference between the BCAA group and control group in rate of maintaining serum albumin levels in class 3. Those results suggested that if cirrhotic patients were in the compensated stage at the entry but with lower BTR, as for decompensated cirrhosis, oral BCAA supplementation might be effective in maintaining serum albumin level for 2 years.

A New Educational Film Control for Use in Studies of Active Mind–Body Therapies: Acceptability and Feasibility

PubMed Central

Selfe, Terry Kit; Alexander, Gina K.; Taylor, Ann Gill

2011-01-01

Abstract Objectives The study objectives were to ascertain whether a novel educational film class is an acceptable and feasible comparison group for a randomized controlled trial regarding the effects of an active mind–body therapy on cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women. Methods Seventy-five (75) participants attended a baseline assessment visit and were randomly assigned to either a yoga group or an educational film (control) group. Both groups attended two 90-minute classes/week for 8 weeks, followed by a second assessment visit. Those not attending the second assessment were classified as dropouts. Over 60 films covering a range of topics relevant to the study population were evaluated; 15 were selected by consensus of at least 2 researchers and 1 layperson. Each film session followed the same format: an informal greeting period, viewing of the film, and a 15-minute postfilm discussion. To determine acceptability and feasibility of the film class, potential between-group differences in dropout and attendance were examined, and participant feedback given during class and on end-of-study questionnaires were evaluated. Results The relation between group assignment and dropout was not significant (χ2 [1, N = 75] = 0.14, p = 0.71). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant between-group difference in number of classes attended for the yoga (X = 13.67 ± 3.10) versus film group (13.26 ± 1.97), F(1,63) = 0.39, p = 0.53). Participant feedback regarding the film program was positive. Conclusions These findings support the feasibility and acceptability of this educational film control. Easy to standardize and tailor to a variety of populations, this film program may offer an attractive alternative to the more traditional educational control. PMID:21554109

Effects of an education program on the health and illness profile of rural breast-fed babies.

PubMed

Nakao, R M

1988-01-01

In the Philippines, researchers followed 135 babies born between August 1985-January 1986 to determine the effects of health education on infant health. Mothers in the experimental group learned about infant care, frequent nursing, personal hygiene, waiting until 4-6 months to begin supplementary foods, and the importance of the colostrum. Those in the control group received no such education. Both groups of mothers breast fed. 65% of the babies in the control group were healthy after 1 month, 48% after 4 months, 64% after 6 months, and 25% at 1 year while 57% of those from the experimental group were healthy after 1 month, 52% after 2 months, 3% after 5 months, and non at 1 year. There was a statistical difference in mean weights between the experimental and control groups at birth, 8 and 11 months. The average weights for babies in the experimental group were in the Class II category (weight for age 25th percentile and or = 50% percentile) while the average weight for those in the control group were in the Class I category (weight for age or = 25% percentile). Babies of multigravida mothers were more likely to be in Class III and IV (both classes 50th percentile) categories than those of primigravida mothers. No experimental group 5-7 month old babies had gastroenteritis while 6.1% 5 month olds, 16.1% 6 month olds, and 17.1% 7 months old in the control group had gastroenteritis. The incidence of respiratory infections was higher among control babies than experimental babies, except at 9 months. The incidence of fever was basically the same in both groups, except 9 and 12 month old experimental babies did not have any fever. Results of this study indicate that health education on infant health contributes to a lower incidence of gastroenteritis and respiratory infections and to higher weight gains.

77 FR 15297 - Proposed Establishment of Class D and E Airspace Amendment of Class E Airspace; East Hampton, NY

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-15

... existing Class E airspace at East Hampton, NY, to accommodate the new air traffic control tower at East... the operation of the new air traffic control tower, and would enhance the safety and management of IFR..., Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration...

[Impacts of collaborative teaching method on the teaching achievement of Acupuncture and Moxibustion].

PubMed

Tian, Haomei; Shen, Jing; Shi, Jia; Liu, Mi; Wang, Chao; Liu, Jinzhi; Chen, Chutao

2016-11-12

To explore the impacts of collaborative teaching method on the teaching achievement of Acupuncture and Moxibustion . Six classes in Hunan University of CM of 2012 grade Chinese medicine department were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 3 classes in each one. In the observation group, the collaborative teaching method was adopted, in which, different teaching modes were used according to the characteristics of each chapter and the study initiative of students was predominated. In the control group, the traditional teaching method was used, in which, the class teaching was the primary and the practice was the secondary in the section of techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion. The results of each curriculum and the total results were compared between the two groups during the whole semester. Compared with the control group, in the observation group, the total achievements of curriculum and case analysis combined with the total result of the theory examination were apparently improved (both P <0.01). The collaborative teaching method improves the comprehensive ability of students and provides a new approach to the teaching of Acupuncture and Moxibustion .

The macular photostress test in diabetes, glaucoma, and cataract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baptista, António M. G.; Sousa, Raul A. R. C.; Rocha, Filomena A. S. Q.; Fernandes, Paula Sepúlveda; Macedo, António F.

2013-11-01

Purpose. The photostress recovery time test (PSRT) has been widely reported as a helpful screening clinical tool. However, the poor standardization of its measurement technique remains to be a limitation among clinicians. The purpose of this study is to apply a recommended clinical technique to measure the PSRT in some of the most commons eye diseases to ascertain whether these diseases affect the PSRT values. Methods. One hundred and one controls and 105 patients, with diagnosed diabetes (without visible signs of diabetic retinopathy), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or cataracts underwent photostress testing. The test was performed with a direct ophthalmoscope for illuminating the macula for 30 seconds. Participants belonged to three age classes: A, B and C; and were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, POAG and cataract. The age range for A, B and C classes were respectively 43-54, 55-64 and 65-74 years. The groups were also further compared within each age class. In addition, the influence of age on PSRT was evaluated using the control group. Results. Results demonstrate that PSRT changes with age (p<0.02). In class A, diabetic group had a faster PSRT than control group, (mean +/- standard deviation) 20.22+/-7.51 and 26.14+/-8.34 seconds. The difference between these groups was statistical significant (t-test, p=0.012). Cataract and POAG groups did not affect the PSRT significantly. Conclusions. The technique used for the Photostress showed that diabetics, younger than 54 years, may have faster PSRT and that, aging delays PSRT.

Medical students perceive better group learning processes when large classes are made to seem small.

PubMed

Hommes, Juliette; Arah, Onyebuchi A; de Grave, Willem; Schuwirth, Lambert W T; Scherpbier, Albert J J A; Bos, Gerard M J

2014-01-01

Medical schools struggle with large classes, which might interfere with the effectiveness of learning within small groups due to students being unfamiliar to fellow students. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of making a large class seem small on the students' collaborative learning processes. A randomised controlled intervention study was undertaken to make a large class seem small, without the need to reduce the number of students enrolling in the medical programme. The class was divided into subsets: two small subsets (n=50) as the intervention groups; a control group (n=102) was mixed with the remaining students (the non-randomised group n∼100) to create one large subset. The undergraduate curriculum of the Maastricht Medical School, applying the Problem-Based Learning principles. In this learning context, students learn mainly in tutorial groups, composed randomly from a large class every 6-10 weeks. The formal group learning activities were organised within the subsets. Students from the intervention groups met frequently within the formal groups, in contrast to the students from the large subset who hardly enrolled with the same students in formal activities. Three outcome measures assessed students' group learning processes over time: learning within formally organised small groups, learning with other students in the informal context and perceptions of the intervention. Formal group learning processes were perceived more positive in the intervention groups from the second study year on, with a mean increase of β=0.48. Informal group learning activities occurred almost exclusively within the subsets as defined by the intervention from the first week involved in the medical curriculum (E-I indexes>-0.69). Interviews tapped mainly positive effects and negligible negative side effects of the intervention. Better group learning processes can be achieved in large medical schools by making large classes seem small.

Medical Students Perceive Better Group Learning Processes when Large Classes Are Made to Seem Small

PubMed Central

Hommes, Juliette; Arah, Onyebuchi A.; de Grave, Willem; Schuwirth, Lambert W. T.; Scherpbier, Albert J. J. A.; Bos, Gerard M. J.

2014-01-01

Objective Medical schools struggle with large classes, which might interfere with the effectiveness of learning within small groups due to students being unfamiliar to fellow students. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of making a large class seem small on the students' collaborative learning processes. Design A randomised controlled intervention study was undertaken to make a large class seem small, without the need to reduce the number of students enrolling in the medical programme. The class was divided into subsets: two small subsets (n = 50) as the intervention groups; a control group (n = 102) was mixed with the remaining students (the non-randomised group n∼100) to create one large subset. Setting The undergraduate curriculum of the Maastricht Medical School, applying the Problem-Based Learning principles. In this learning context, students learn mainly in tutorial groups, composed randomly from a large class every 6–10 weeks. Intervention The formal group learning activities were organised within the subsets. Students from the intervention groups met frequently within the formal groups, in contrast to the students from the large subset who hardly enrolled with the same students in formal activities. Main Outcome Measures Three outcome measures assessed students' group learning processes over time: learning within formally organised small groups, learning with other students in the informal context and perceptions of the intervention. Results Formal group learning processes were perceived more positive in the intervention groups from the second study year on, with a mean increase of β = 0.48. Informal group learning activities occurred almost exclusively within the subsets as defined by the intervention from the first week involved in the medical curriculum (E-I indexes>−0.69). Interviews tapped mainly positive effects and negligible negative side effects of the intervention. Conclusion Better group learning processes can be achieved in large medical schools by making large classes seem small. PMID:24736272

Pilot study on infant swimming classes and early motor development.

PubMed

Dias, Jorge A B de S; Manoel, Edison de J; Dias, Roberta B de M; Okazaki, Victor H A

2013-12-01

Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) scores were examined before and after four months of swimming classes in 12 babies (ages 7 to 9 mo.) assigned to Experimental (n = 6) and Control (n = 6) groups matched on age and developmental status. Infants from both groups improved their developmental status from pre- to post-test; the Experimental group improved on mean percentile rank. The sample size and the discriminative power of the AIMS do not allow conclusive judgments on these group differences, hence on the effect of infant swimming classes. Nevertheless, a number of recommendations are made for future studies on the effect of swimming classes on infant motor development.

Cardiorespiratory benefits of group exercise among adults with serious mental illness.

PubMed

Jerome, Gerald J; Young, Deborah Rohm; Dalcin, Arlene T; Wang, Nae-Yuh; Gennusa, Joseph; Goldsholl, Stacy; Appel, Lawrence J; Daumit, Gail L

2017-10-01

This study examined cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among adults with serious mental illness (SMI) participating in group exercise classes. Overweight and obese adults with SMI were randomized to either a control condition or a weight management condition with group exercise classes (n = 222). Submaximal bicycle ergometry was used to assess CRF at baseline, 6 and 18 months. Those with ≥ 66% participation in the exercise classes had a lower heart rate response at 6 and 18 month follow-up. Participation in group exercise classes was associated with improved short and long term cardiovascular fitness among adults with SMI. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Class III surgical patients facilitated by accelerated osteogenic orthodontic treatment].

PubMed

Wu, Jia-qi; Xu, Li; Liang, Cheng; Zou, Wei; Bai, Yun-yang; Jiang, Jiu-hui

2013-10-01

To evaluate the treatment time and the anterior and posterior teeth movement pattern as closing extraction space for the Class III surgical patients facilitated by accelerated osteogenic orthodontic treatment. There were 10 skeletal Class III patients in accelerated osteogenic orthodontic group (AOO) and 10 patients in control group. Upper first premolars were extracted in all patients. After leveling and alignment (T2), corticotomy was performed in the area of maxillary anterior teeth to accelerate space closing.Study models of upper dentition were taken before orthodontic treatment (T1) and after space closing (T3). All the casts were laser scanned, and the distances of the movement of incisors and molars were digitally measured. The distances of tooth movement in two groups were recorded and analyzed. The alignment time between two groups was not statistically significant. The treatment time in AOO group from T2 to T3 was less than that in the control group (less than 9.1 ± 4.1 months). The treatment time in AOO group from T1 to T3 was less than that in the control group (less than 6.3 ± 4.8 months), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Average distances of upper incisor movement (D1) in AOO group and control group were (2.89 ± 1.48) and (3.10 ± 0.95) mm, respectively. Average distances of upper first molar movement (D2) in AOO group and control group were (2.17 ± 1.13) and (2.45 ± 1.04) mm, respectively.No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). Accelerated osteogenic orthodontic treatment could accelerate space closing in Class III surgical patients and shorten preoperative orthodontic time. There were no influence on the movement pattern of anterior and posterior teeth during pre-surgical orthodontic treatment.

The Effect of Corpus-Based Activities on Verb-Noun Collocations in EFL Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ucar, Serpil; Yükselir, Ceyhun

2015-01-01

This current study sought to reveal the impacts of corpus-based activities on verb-noun collocation learning in EFL classes. This study was carried out on two groups--experimental and control groups- each of which consists of 15 students. The students were preparatory class students at School of Foreign Languages, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University.…

Comparative Outcomes of Two Instructional Models for Students with Learning Disabilities: Inclusion with Co-Teaching and Solo-Taught Special Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tremblay, Philippe

2013-01-01

We compared two instructional models (co-teaching inclusion and solo-taught special education) for students with learning disabilities (LD) with regard to their effect on academic achievement and class attendance. Twelve inclusive classes (experimental group) and 13 special education classes (control group) participated in the study. In grade 1,…

Fracture Resistance of Ceramic Laminate Veneers Bonded to Teeth with Class V Composite Fillings after Cyclic Loading.

PubMed

Sadighpour, Leyla; Geramipanah, Farideh; Rasaei, Vanya; Kharazi Fard, Mohammad J

2018-01-01

Porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) are sometimes required to be used for teeth with composite fillings. This study examined the fracture strength of PLVs bonded to the teeth restored with different sizes of class V composite fillings. Thirty-six maxillary central incisors were divided into three groups ( n =12): intact teeth (control) and teeth with class V composite fillings of one-third or two-thirds of the crown height (small or large group, resp.). PLVs were made by using IPS e.max and bonded with a resin cement (RelyX Unicem). Fracture resistance ( N ) was measured after cyclic loading (1 × 10 6 cycles, 1.2 Hz). For statistical analyses, one-way ANOVA and Tukey test were used ( α =0.05). There was a significant difference between the mean failure loads of the test groups ( P =0.004), with the Tukey-HSD test showing lower failure loads in the large-composite group compared to the control ( P =0.02) or small group ( P =0.05). The control and small-composite groups achieved comparable results ( P > 0.05). Failure loads of PLVs bonded to intact teeth and to teeth with small class V composite fillings were not significantly different. However, extensive composite fillings could compromise the bonding of PLVs.

Establishing Groups in the College or University Classroom: Using VIEW to Form Better Cooperative Groups and Improve Learning Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schroth, Stephen T.; Helfer, Jason A.; Crawford, Mary A.; Dixon, Jessie D.; Hoyt, Helen M.

2015-01-01

Six classes at a selective liberal arts college in the Midwest, two each in chemistry, educational studies, and Spanish, used cooperative groups as part of the students' learning experiences. One class from each discipline used VIEW to formulate these cooperative groups, while those that constituted the control groups used more traditional ways of…

40 CFR 82.12 - Transfers of allowances for class I controlled substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PROTECTION OF STRATOSPHERIC OZONE Production and Consumption Controls...) Until January 1, 1996, for all class I controlled substances, except for Group VI, and until January 1... amount of the transferor's consumption allowances or production allowances, and effective January 1, 1995...

Camouflage treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion with multiloop edgewise arch wire and modified Class III elastics by maxillary mini-implant anchorage.

PubMed

He, Shushu; Gao, Jinhui; Wamalwa, Peter; Wang, Yunji; Zou, Shujuan; Chen, Song

2013-07-01

To evaluate the effect of the multiloop edgewise arch wire (MEAW) technique with maxillary mini-implants in the camouflage treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion. Twenty patients were treated with the MEAW technique and modified Class III elastics from the maxillary mini-implants. Twenty-four patients were treated with MEAW and long Class III elastics from the upper second molars as control. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained and analyzed before and after treatment, and 1 year after retention. Satisfactory occlusion was established in both groups. Through principal component analysis, it could be concluded the anterior-posterior dental position, skeletal sagittal and vertical position, and upper molar vertical position changed within groups and between groups; vertical lower teeth position and Wits distance changed in the experimental group and between groups. In the experimental group, the lower incisors tipped lingually 2.7 mm and extruded 2.4 mm. The lingual inclination of the lower incisors increased 3.5°. The mandibular first molars tipped distally 9.1° and intruded 0.4 mm. Their cusps moved 3.4 mm distally. In the control group, the upper incisors proclined 3°, and the upper first molar extruded 2 mm. SN-MP increased 1.6° and S-Go/N-ME decreased 1. The MEAW technique combined with modified Class III elastics by maxillary mini-implants can effectively tip the mandibular molars distally without any extrusion and tip the lower incisors lingually with extrusion to camouflage skeletal Class III malocclusions. Clockwise rotation of the mandible and further proclination of upper incisors can be avoided. The MEAW technique and modified Class III elastics provided an appropriate treatment strategy especially for patients with high angle and open bite tendency.

Crown-root morphology of lower incisors in patients with class III malocclusion.

PubMed

Wang, Bo; Shen, Guofang; Fang, Bing; Zhang, Li

2012-07-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the crown-root morphology of lower incisors in patients with class III malocclusion using cone-beam computed tomography. Cone-beam computed tomography images were analyzed from 53 adult class I patients (group 1), 37 preadolescent class III patients (group 2), and 66 adult class III patients (group 3) comprising 3 divisions (divisions 1, 2, and 3 corresponded to mild, moderate, and severe class III malocclusions). The size and crown-root angulations of lower incisors in different groups and divisions were statistically appraised with group 1 used as the control group. No significant differences were found for the size of lower incisors among different groups and divisions (P > 0.05). Compared with group 1, the crown-root angulations of lower incisors in groups 2 and 3 were significantly larger (P < 0.01), and among 3 divisions, the lower incisors of division 3 rather than divisions 2 and 3 exhibited larger crown-root angulations (P < 0.01). Attention should be paid to the enlarged crown-root angulations of lower incisors in class III patients during orthodontic and orthognathic treatment, especially in severe ones.

Use of anorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite matrix/cell-binding peptide (P-15) in the treatment isolated Class I gingival recession of defects: a pilot study.

PubMed

Nazareth, Carlos A; Cury, Patricia R

2011-05-01

This study clinically evaluates the treatment outcome of coronally positioned flap (CPF) associated with anorganic bone mineral/peptide-15 (ABM/P-15) in terms of root coverage and gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone height (BH) in isolated Class I gingival recession (GR) defects. Fifteen healthy subjects with bilateral and comparable Miller Class I GR defects were selected. The defects were randomly assigned either to the test group (CPF with ABM/P-15) or to the control group (CPF only). Six months after surgery, a reduction in GR was observed in the test and control groups (2.20 ± 0.54 and 2.40 ± 0.80 mm, respectively; P <0.001) with no intergroup difference (P = 0.33). Complete root coverage was obtained in 10 and 11 defects in the test and control groups, respectively. In the test group 85.56% ± 21.69% and in the control group 90.00% ± 18.42% of the exposed root was covered. Although not clinically significant, a statistically greater increase in the gingival thickness was observed in the test group (0.03 mm; P = 0.01). CAL gain was significant in both groups (test group, 1.93 ± 0.44 mm; control group, 2.13 ± 1.15 mm; P <0.001) with no intergroup difference (P = 0.42). Intergroup and intragroup differences in width of keratinized tissue and BH were not significant (P ≥0.16). In the test group, a positive correlation was observed between BH at baseline and the reduction in GR (r = 0.56; P = 0.03). In isolated Class I GR defects, CPF associated with ABM/P-15 provided no significant difference in root coverage and CAL gain compared to CPF alone. In the ABM/P-15 group, a greater reduction in GR was associated with higher bone level at baseline.

Integrated argument-based inquiry with multiple representation approach to promote scientific argumentation skill

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suminar, Iin; Muslim, Liliawati, Winny

2017-05-01

The purpose of this research was to identify student's written argument embedded in scientific inqury investigation and argumentation skill using integrated argument-based inquiry with multiple representation approach. This research was using quasi experimental method with the nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design. Sample ot this research was 10th grade students at one of High School in Bandung using two classes, they were 26 students of experiment class and 26 students of control class. Experiment class using integrated argument-based inquiry with multiple representation approach, while control class using argument-based inquiry. This study was using argumentation worksheet and argumentation test. Argumentation worksheet encouraged students to formulate research questions, design experiment, observe experiment and explain the data as evidence, construct claim, warrant, embedded multiple modus representation and reflection. Argumentation testinclude problem which asks students to explain evidence, warrants, and backings support of each claim. The result of this research show experiment class students's argumentation skill performed better than control class students that of experiment class was 0.47 and control class was 0.31. The results of unequal variance t-test for independent means show that students'sargumentationskill of experiment class performed better significantly than students'sargumentationskill of control class.

Additional standing balance circuit classes during inpatient rehabilitation improved balance outcomes: an assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Treacy, Daniel; Schurr, Karl; Lloyd, Bradley; Sherrington, Catherine

2015-07-01

to evaluate the impact on balance (postural control) of six 1-h circuit classes that targeted balance in addition to usual therapy for rehabilitation inpatients. a randomised controlled trial with 2-week and 3-month follow-up. one hundred and sixty-two general rehabilitation inpatients, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Australia. intervention group participants received six 1-h circuit classes over a 2-week period in addition to usual therapy. Control group participants received usual therapy. standing balance performance (primary outcome) was better in the intervention group than in the control group at 2 weeks (between-group difference after adjusting for baseline values 3.3 s; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 5.7, P = 0.009), but the between-group difference was not statistically significant at 3 months (3.4 s; 95% CI -0.56 to 7.38, P = 0.092). Intervention group outcomes were significantly better than the control groups for mobility performance (Short Physical Performance Battery) at 2 weeks (1.19, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.87, P <0.01) and 3 months (1.00, 95% CI 0.00 to 2.00, P < 0.049) and self-reported functioning (AM-PAC) at 2 weeks (5.39, 95% CI 1.20 to 9.57, P = 0.012). The intervention group had a 4.1-day shorter rehabilitation unit stay (95% CI -8.3 to 0.16, P = 0.059) and a lower risk of readmission in the 3 months after randomisation (incidence rate ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.18, P = 0.184), but these differences were not statistically significant. two weeks of standing balance circuit classes in addition to usual therapy improved balance in general rehabilitation inpatients at 2 weeks. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Transverse dental compensation in relation to sagittal and transverse skeletal discrepancies in skeletal Class III patients.

PubMed

Ahn, Jaechan; Kim, Sung-Jin; Lee, Ji-Yeon; Chung, Chooryung J; Kim, Kyung-Ho

2017-01-01

The purposes of this study were to compare the buccolingual inclinations of the posterior teeth in skeletal Class III patients with and without facial asymmetry with those of skeletal Class I patients and to investigate their relationships with sagittal and transverse skeletal discrepancies. Sixty-three skeletal Class III adult patients were divided into 2 groups according to the degree of menton deviation: a symmetry group with deviation less than 2 mm (n = 30), and an asymmetry group with deviation greater than 4 mm (n = 33). The control group comprised 25 skeletal Class I patients. The buccolingual inclinations of the posterior teeth measured on cone-beam computed tomography images were compared among the 3 groups, and regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between the inclinations and the sagittal and transverse skeletal discrepancies. The symmetry group showed greater buccal inclinations of the maxillary posterior teeth and lingual inclinations of the mandibular second molars than did the control, and this was correlated with the ANB angles. The deviated sides in the asymmetry group showed the greatest transverse dental compensation, which was correlated with menton deviation, whereas the nondeviated sides showed no significant transverse dental compensation. Transverse dental compensation is closely related to sagittal and transverse skeletal discrepancy in skeletal Class III patients. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantitative evaluation of liver cirrhosis using T1 relaxation time with 3 tesla MRI before and after oxygen inhalation.

PubMed

Kim, Kyung Ah; Park, Mi-Suk; Kim, In-Seong; Kiefer, Berthold; Chung, Woo-Suk; Kim, Myeong-Jin; Kim, Ki Whang

2012-08-01

To quantify liver T1 relaxation times before and after oxygen inhalation in patients with and without liver cirrhosis using a 3 Tesla (T) MRI. Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent were obtained. Ninety-two noncirrhotic patients and 87 patients with hepatitis B viral liver cirrhosis (72 Child-Pugh class A and 15 Child-Pugh class B or C) underwent MRI with a 3.0T system before and after the supply of 100% oxygen at a rate of 15 L/min by means of a nonrebreather ventilation mask for 3 min. T1 maps were acquired using three-dimensional spoiled gradient echo sequences with two different flip angles (2° and 14°) and a fixed TR/TE (2.54 ms/0.95 ms). Liver T1 values were obtained using a T1 processing tool (MapIT software). The mean baseline T1 values of three groups (control, Child-Pugh class A, and Child-Pugh class B/C) were compared using an analysis of variance test. Liver T1 value before and after oxygenation was compared using a paired t-test for each group. The baseline liver T1 value was significantly higher in the control group (941 ± 136 ms) than in Child-Pugh A (858 ± 143 ms) and Child-Pugh B/C (783 ± 164 ms) group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001). The reduction in the liver T1 value after oxygen inhalation was significant in the control group (P = 0.012) but not significant in Child-Pugh class A (P = 0.079) and Child-Pugh class B/C (P = 0.752). The baseline liver T1 relaxation time was significantly different between the patients with and without liver cirrhosis. The shortening effect of oxygen on the liver T1 value was significant in the control group but not in the cirrhotic patients. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect on prospective teachers of the learning environment supported by dynamic statistics software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koparan, Timur

2016-02-01

In this study, the effect on the achievement and attitudes of prospective teachers is examined. With this aim ahead, achievement test, attitude scale for statistics and interviews were used as data collection tools. The achievement test comprises 8 problems based on statistical data, and the attitude scale comprises 13 Likert-type items. The study was carried out in 2014-2015 academic year fall semester at a university in Turkey. The study, which employed the pre-test-post-test control group design of quasi-experimental research method, was carried out on a group of 80 prospective teachers, 40 in the control group and 40 in the experimental group. Both groups had four-hour classes about descriptive statistics. The classes with the control group were carried out through traditional methods while dynamic statistics software was used in the experimental group. Five prospective teachers from the experimental group were interviewed clinically after the application for a deeper examination of their views about application. Qualitative data gained are presented under various themes. At the end of the study, it was found that there is a significant difference in favour of the experimental group in terms of achievement and attitudes, the prospective teachers have affirmative approach to the use of dynamic software and see it as an effective tool to enrich maths classes. In accordance with the findings of the study, it is suggested that dynamic software, which offers unique opportunities, be used in classes by teachers and students.

Divergence of Scientific Heuristic Method and Direct Algebraic Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calucag, Lina S.

2016-01-01

This is an experimental study, made used of the non-randomized experimental and control groups, pretest-posttest designs. The experimental and control groups were two separate intact classes in Algebra. For a period of twelve sessions, the experimental group was subjected to the scientific heuristic method, but the control group instead was given…

[Evaluation of accuracy of virtual occlusal definition in Angle class I molar relationship].

PubMed

Wu, L; Liu, X J; Li, Z L; Wang, X

2018-02-18

To evaluate the accuracy of virtual occlusal definition in non-Angle class I molar relationship, and to evaluate the clinical feasibility. Twenty pairs of models of orthognathic patients were included in this study. The inclusion criteria were: (1) finished with pre-surgical orthodontic treatment and (2) stable final occlusion. The exclusion criteria were: (1) existence of distorted teeth, (2) needs for segmentation, (3) defect of dentition except for orthodontic extraction ones, and (4) existence of tooth space. The tooth-extracted test group included 10 models with two premolars extracted during preoperative orthodontic treatment. Their molar relationships were not Angle class I relationship. The non-tooth-extracted test group included another 10 models without teeth extracted, therefore their molar relationships were Angle class I. To define the final occlusion in virtual environment, two steps were included: (1) The morphology data of upper and lower dentition were digitalized by surface scanner (Smart Optics/Activity 102; Model-Tray GmbH, Hamburg, Germany); (2) the virtual relationships were defined using 3Shape software. The control standard of final occlusion was manually defined using gypsum models and then digitalized by surface scanner. The final occlusion of test group and control standard were overlapped according to lower dentition morphology. Errors were evaluated by calculating the distance between the corresponding reference points of testing group and control standard locations. The overall errors for upper dentition between test group and control standard location were (0.51±0.18) mm in non-tooth-extracted test group and (0.60±0.36) mm in tooth-extracted test group. The errors were significantly different between these two test groups (P<0.05). However, in both test groups, the errors of each tooth in a single dentition does not differ from one another. There was no significant difference between errors in tooth-extracted test group and 1 mm (P>0.05); and the accuracy of non-tooth-extracted group was significantly smaller than 1 mm (P<0.05). The error of virtual occlusal definition of none class I molar relationship is higher than that of class I relationship, with an accuracy of 1 mm. However, its accuracy is still feasible for clinical application.

Lecture Capturing: Its Effects on Students' Absenteeism, Performance, and Impressions in a Traditional Marketing Research Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dommeyer, Curt J.

2017-01-01

A quasiexperiment was conducted among marketing research students to determine the effects of lecture capturing (LC). One group of students (the LC group) was allowed access to video recordings of the class lectures whereas another group of students in a parallel class (the control group) was not given access to the recordings. When both groups…

Effect of well-controlled gestational diabetes on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in neonates.

PubMed

Ghandi, Yazdan; Habibi, Danial; Nasri, Khadijeh; Alinejad, Saeed; Taherahmad, Hassan; Arjmand Shabestari, Ali; Nematinejad, Ali

2018-06-17

There are some evidences supporting the relation between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of well-controlled GDM on morphological and functional myocardium. We designed a prospective cross-sectional study to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function of 60 neonates born from mothers with well-controlled GDM (case group) on days of 3-5 after birth. The infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) group were divided into two groups: diabetic mothers treated only with diet (class A) and group of mothers on medical therapy by insulin or metformin (class B). Traditional echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed for all the neonates. The study group consisted of 60 neonates as males (M) = 32, (0.53%) and females (F) = 28, (0.46%). Using M-mode echocardiography, interventricular septum thickness (IVS), and LV mass were significantly higher in IDM than control group (p = .0001). The PWD showed both a significantly more peak mitral flow at early diastolic wave (E) and an early filling deceleration time (E-DT) (p = .0001). Tissue Doppler echocardiography parameters A' (cm/s) (p = .0001), E' (cm/s) (p = .002), and E'/A' ratio (p = .0001), left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were outstandingly different between the two groups (p = .0001, respectively). Evaluating the GDM group mothers of class A and class B, no significant difference was noted in PWD or TDI parameters compared with the healthy ones. It seems that neonates of mothers with well-controlled GDM are still at increased risk of cardiac hypertrophy, subclinical diastolic dysfunction, and impaired left ventricular relaxation. This can be interpreted that focusing only on glycemic control is not enough to prevent cardiac dysfunction.

Comparative study between laser and conventional techniques for class V cavity preparation in gamma-irradiated teeth (in vitro study).

PubMed

Rasmy, Amr H M; Harhash, Tarek A; Ghali, Rami M S; El Maghraby, Eman M F; El Rouby, Dalia H

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare laser with conventional techniques in class V cavity preparation in gamma-irradiated teeth. Forty extracted human teeth with no carious lesions were used for this study and were divided into two main groups: Group I (n = 20) was not subjected to gamma radiation (control) and Group II (n=20) was subjected to gamma radiation of 60 Gray. Standard class V preparation was performed in buccal and lingual sides of each tooth in both groups. Buccal surfaces were prepared by the Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Waterlase iPlus) 2780 nm, using the gold handpiece with MZ10 Tip in non-contact and the "H" mode, following parameters of cavity preparation - power 6 W, frequency 50 Hz, 90% water and 70% air, then shifting to surface treatment laser parameters - power 4.5 W, frequency 50 Hz, 80% water and 50% air. Lingual surfaces were prepared by the conventional high-speed turbine using round diamond bur. Teeth were then sectioned mesio-distally, resulting in 80 specimens: 40 of which were buccal laser-treated (20 control and 20 gamma-irradiated specimens) and 40 were lingual conventional high-speed bur specimens (20 control and 20 gamma-irradiated specimens). Microleakage analysis revealed higher scores in both gamma groups compared with control groups. Chi-square test revealed no significant difference between both control groups and gamma groups (p=1, 0.819, respectively). A significant difference was revealed between all 4 groups (p=0.00018). Both laser and conventional high-speed turbine bur show good bond strength in control (non-gamma) group, while microleakage is evident in gamma group, indicating that gamma radiation had a dramatic negative effect on the bond strength in both laser and bur-treated teeth.

Fracture Resistance of Ceramic Laminate Veneers Bonded to Teeth with Class V Composite Fillings after Cyclic Loading

PubMed Central

Rasaei, Vanya; Kharazi Fard, Mohammad J.

2018-01-01

Purpose Porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs) are sometimes required to be used for teeth with composite fillings. This study examined the fracture strength of PLVs bonded to the teeth restored with different sizes of class V composite fillings. Materials and Methods Thirty-six maxillary central incisors were divided into three groups (n=12): intact teeth (control) and teeth with class V composite fillings of one-third or two-thirds of the crown height (small or large group, resp.). PLVs were made by using IPS e.max and bonded with a resin cement (RelyX Unicem). Fracture resistance (N) was measured after cyclic loading (1 × 106 cycles, 1.2 Hz). For statistical analyses, one-way ANOVA and Tukey test were used (α=0.05). Results There was a significant difference between the mean failure loads of the test groups (P=0.004), with the Tukey-HSD test showing lower failure loads in the large-composite group compared to the control (P=0.02) or small group (P=0.05). The control and small-composite groups achieved comparable results (P > 0.05). Conclusions Failure loads of PLVs bonded to intact teeth and to teeth with small class V composite fillings were not significantly different. However, extensive composite fillings could compromise the bonding of PLVs. PMID:29849632

Analysis of the role of Arabidopsis class I TCP genes AtTCP7, AtTCP8, AtTCP22, and AtTCP23 in leaf development

PubMed Central

Aguilar-Martínez, José A.; Sinha, Neelima

2013-01-01

TCP family of plant-specific transcription factors regulates plant form through control of cell proliferation and differentiation. This gene family is comprised of two groups, class I and class II. While the role of class II TCP genes in plant development is well known, data about the function of some class I TCP genes is lacking. We studied a group of phylogenetically related class I TCP genes: AtTCP7, AtTCP8, AtTCP22, and AtTCP23. The similar expression pattern in young growing leaves found for this group suggests similarity in gene function. Gene redundancy is characteristic in this group, as also seen in the class II TCP genes. We generated a pentuple mutant tcp8 tcp15 tcp21 tcp22 tcp23 and show that loss of function of these genes results in changes in leaf developmental traits. We also determined that these factors are able to mutually interact in a yeast two-hybrid assay and regulate the expression of KNOX1 genes. To circumvent the issue of genetic redundancy, dominant negative forms with SRDX repressor domain were used. Analysis of transgenic plants expressing AtTCP7-SRDX and AtTCP23-SRDX indicate a role of these factors in the control of cell proliferation. PMID:24137171

Analysis of the role of Arabidopsis class I TCP genes AtTCP7, AtTCP8, AtTCP22, and AtTCP23 in leaf development.

PubMed

Aguilar-Martínez, José A; Sinha, Neelima

2013-01-01

TCP family of plant-specific transcription factors regulates plant form through control of cell proliferation and differentiation. This gene family is comprised of two groups, class I and class II. While the role of class II TCP genes in plant development is well known, data about the function of some class I TCP genes is lacking. We studied a group of phylogenetically related class I TCP genes: AtTCP7, AtTCP8, AtTCP22, and AtTCP23. The similar expression pattern in young growing leaves found for this group suggests similarity in gene function. Gene redundancy is characteristic in this group, as also seen in the class II TCP genes. We generated a pentuple mutant tcp8 tcp15 tcp21 tcp22 tcp23 and show that loss of function of these genes results in changes in leaf developmental traits. We also determined that these factors are able to mutually interact in a yeast two-hybrid assay and regulate the expression of KNOX1 genes. To circumvent the issue of genetic redundancy, dominant negative forms with SRDX repressor domain were used. Analysis of transgenic plants expressing AtTCP7-SRDX and AtTCP23-SRDX indicate a role of these factors in the control of cell proliferation.

Hawaiian Residents' Preferences for Miconia Control Program Attributes Using Conjoint Choice Experiment and Latent Class Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan-Halbrendt, Catherine; Lin, Tun; Yang, Fang; Sisior, Gwendalyn

2010-02-01

Invasive species control or eradication is an important issue. On the islands of Hawaii, this problem is exceedingly evident when it comes to Miconia calvescens ( Miconia) . Adequate funding is needed to control or eradicate this invasive plant, but with the limited amount of funding available for the fight against Miconia, it is important to make sure that the fund is being spent in a way that addresses the needs or preferences of the Hawaiian residents. Using the conjoint choice experiment method, we designed a survey that would measure the Hawaiian residents’ willingness to support Miconia control program attributes. The attributes focused on were cost, biodiversity loss, extent of spread and soil erosion. Latent class approach was used to assess the surveyed population to see the different preferences by individual classes. The results show three different classes or groups of individuals with varying preferences for a control program of which cost and erosion were the top preferred attributes among the classes. These groups were defined by their socio-demographics of income, the length of residency and exposure to farming/gardening activities. Even with a preference for lower cost, a group showed willingness to pay more (2.40) for a program that reduces erosion from high to low. Finally, the biodiversity attribute had very low consideration from a majority of the respondents showing the need for educating the public regarding its importance in preserving the unique environment in Hawaii.

Comparative evaluation of microleakage in Class II restorations using open vs. closed centripetal build-up techniques with different lining materials

PubMed Central

Sawani, Shefali; Arora, Vipin; Jaiswal, Shikha; Nikhil, Vineeta

2014-01-01

Background: Evaluation of microleakage is important for assessing the success of new restorative materials and methods. Aim and Objectives: Comparative evaluation of microleakage in Class II restorations using open vs. closed centripetal build-up techniques with different lining materials. Materials and Methods: Standardized mesi-occlusal (MO) and distoocclusal (DO) Class II tooth preparations were preparedon 53 molars and samples were randomly divided into six experimental groups and one control group for restorations. Group 1: Open-Sandwich technique (OST) with flowable composite at the gingival seat. Group 2: OST with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) at the gingival seat. Group 3: Closed-Sandwich technique (CST) with flowable composite at the pulpal floor and axial wall. Group 4: CST with RMGIC at the pulpal floor and axial wall. Group 5: OST with flowable composite at the pulpal floor, axial wall, and gingival seat. Group 6: OST with RMGIC at the pulpal floor, axial wall, and gingival seat. Group 7: Control — no lining material, centripetal technique only. After restorations and thermocycling, apices were sealed and samples were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin dye. Sectioning was followed by stereomicroscopic evaluation. Results: Results were analyzed using Post Hoc Bonferroni test (statistics is not a form of tabulation). Cervical scores of control were more than the exprimental groups (P < 0.05). Less microleakage was observed in CST than OST in all experimental groups (P < 0.05). However, insignificant differences were observed among occlusal scores of different groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Class II composite restorations with centripetal build-up alone or when placed with CST reduces the cervical microleakage when compared to OST. PMID:25125847

Long-term skeletal effects of high-pull headgear followed by fixed appliances for the treatment of Class II malocclusions.

PubMed

Bilbo, E Erin; Marshall, Steven D; Southard, Karin A; Allareddy, Verrasathpurush; Holton, Nathan; Thames, Allyn M; Otsby, Marlene S; Southard, Thomas E

2018-04-18

The long-term skeletal effects of Class II treatment in growing individuals using high-pull facebow headgear and fixed edgewise appliances have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term skeletal effects of treatment using high-pull headgear followed by fixed orthodontic appliances compared to an untreated control group. Changes in anteroposterior and vertical cephalometric measurements of 42 Class II subjects (n = 21, mean age = 10.7 years) before treatment, after headgear correction to Class I molar relationship, after treatment with fixed appliances, and after long-term retention (mean 4.1 years), were compared to similar changes in a matched control group (n = 21, mean age = 10.9 years) by multivariable linear regression models. Compared to control, the study group displayed significant long-term horizontal restriction of A-point (SNA = -1.925°, P < .0001; FH-NA = -3.042°, P < .0001; linear measurement A-point to Vertical Reference = -3.859 mm, P < .0001) and reduction of the ANB angle (-1.767°, P < .0001), with no effect on mandibular horizontal growth or maxillary and mandibular vertical skeletal changes. A-point horizontal restriction and forward mandibular horizontal growth accompanied the study group correction to Class I molar, and these changes were stable long term. One phase treatment for Class II malocclusion with high-pull headgear followed by fixed orthodontic appliances resulted in correction to Class I molar through restriction of horizontal maxillary growth with continued horizontal mandibular growth and vertical skeletal changes unaffected. The anteroposterior molar correction and skeletal effects of this treatment were stable long term.

Enhancement of students’ creative thinking skills on mixture separation topic using project based student worksheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurisalfah, R.; Fadiawati, N.; Jalmo, T.

2018-05-01

The aim of this study is to describe the effectiveness of project based student worksheet in improving students' creative thinking skills. The research method is using quasi experiment with the matching only pre-test post-test control group design. The population in this research is all students of class VII SMP N 2 Belitang Madang Raya with class VII1 as control class and class VII4 as experiment class. The sample of this research is obtaining by purposive sampling technique. The effectiveness of project based student worksheet is based on significant post-test differences between the control class and the experiment class as well as the effect size. The results show that the using of project based student worksheet is effective in improving students' creative thinking skills on mixture separation topic.

Effects of Yoga on Stress, Stress Adaption, and Heart Rate Variability Among Mental Health Professionals--A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Lin, Shu-Ling; Huang, Ching-Ya; Shiu, Shau-Ping; Yeh, Shu-Hui

2015-08-01

Mental health professionals experiencing work-related stress may experience burn out, leading to a negative impact on their organization and patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of yoga classes on work-related stress, stress adaptation, and autonomic nerve activity among mental health professionals. A randomized controlled trial was used, which compared the outcomes between the experimental (e.g., yoga program) and the control groups (e.g., no yoga exercise) for 12 weeks. Work-related stress and stress adaptation were assessed before and after the program. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at baseline, midpoint through the weekly yoga classes (6 weeks), and postintervention (after 12 weeks of yoga classes). The results showed that the mental health professionals in the yoga group experienced a significant reduction in work-related stress (t = -6.225, p < .001), and a significant enhancement of stress adaptation (t = 2.128, p = .042). Participants in the control group revealed no significant changes. Comparing the mean differences in pre- and posttest scores between yoga and control groups, we found the yoga group significantly decreased work-related stress (t = -3.216, p = .002), but there was no significant change in stress adaptation (p = .084). While controlling for the pretest scores of work-related stress, participants in yoga, but not the control group, revealed a significant increase in autonomic nerve activity at midpoint (6 weeks) test (t = -2.799, p = .007), and at posttest (12 weeks; t = -2.099, p = .040). Because mental health professionals experienced a reduction in work-related stress and an increase in autonomic nerve activity in a weekly yoga program for 12 weeks, clinicians, administrators, and educators should offer yoga classes as a strategy to help health professionals reduce their work-related stress and balance autonomic nerve activities. © 2015 The Authors. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society for Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing.

Implementation of 7e learning cycle model using technology based constructivist teaching (TBCT) approach to improve students' understanding achievment in mechanical wave material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warliani, Resti; Muslim, Setiawan, Wawan

2017-05-01

This study aims to determine the increase in the understanding achievement in senior high school students through the Learning Cycle 7E with technology based constructivist teaching approach (TBCT). This study uses a pretest-posttest control group design. The participants were 67 high school students of eleventh grade in Garut city with two class in control and experiment class. Experiment class applying the Learning Cycle 7E through TBCT approach and control class applying the 7E Learning Cycle through Constructivist Teaching approach (CT). Data collection tools from mechanical wave concept test with totally 22 questions with reability coefficient was found 0,86. The findings show the increase of the understanding achievement of the experiment class is in the amount of 0.51 was higher than the control class that is in the amount of 0.33.

Lack of sustainable prevention effect of the "Smoke-Free Class Competition" on German pupils.

PubMed

Schulze, Alexander; Mons, Ute; Edler, Lutz; Pötschke-Langer, Martina

2006-01-01

This study examines the effectiveness of the school-based campaign "Smoke-Free Class Competition" as a means of preventing young non-smokers from taking up smoking. Based on two measurements of the Heidelberg Children's Panel Study (1998 and 2000), a longitudinal sample of 1704 pupils was examined: 948 in the intervention group and 756 in the control group. In order to evaluate the effects of the intervention, we compared the smoking behavior in the intervention and the control group at two points in time, shortly before, and 18 months after the intervention, on an individual case basis. (1) Stabilization of never-smoking rates: the proportion of pupils remaining a never-smoker at the follow-up is 62.1% in the intervention group and 61.5% in the control group (OR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.83-1.24); (2) Lowering of relapse rates among ex-smokers: the proportion of former smokers who had not started smoking again in the follow-up is 45.1% in the intervention group and 41.4% in the control group (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.77-1.49). The "Smoke-Free Class Competition" did not prevent smoking among adolescents and does not appear to be an effective substitute to the complete ban of tobacco advertising, the abolition of vending machines and the creation of smoke-free environments in German schools.

Effect of cooking classes for housewives on salt reduction in family members: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Takada, T; Imamoto, M; Fukuma, S; Yamamoto, Y; Sasaki, S; Uchida, M; Miura, Y; Shimizu, S; Nihata, K; Fukuhara, S

2016-11-01

Sodium reduction is very important in preventing cardiovascular diseases, especially in regions with high salt intake such as Japan. One strategy for salt reduction is to raise consumer awareness of the need to reduce daily salt intake. We investigated whether cooking classes given to housewives focussing on salt reduction would influence not only their own consumption behaviour but also that of their family members. Single-blinded, cluster randomized trial. We randomly assigned housewives to participate in cooking classes focussing on salt reduction (intervention group) or lectures about a healthy lifestyle (control group). The main outcome measure was the difference in estimated daily salt intake by spot urine sampling of housewives and their family members 2 months after intervention between the groups. A total of 35 housewives and 33 family members were randomized. The mean daily salt intake was 10.00 (standard deviation [SD] 1.75) g/day in the control group (17 housewives and 15 family members) and 9.57 (SD 2.45) g/day in the intervention group (18 housewives and 18 family members) at baseline. Two months after the intervention, the mean salt intake was 10.30 (SD 1.78) g/day in the control group and 8.95 (SD 2.45) g/day in the intervention group. The mean difference was -1.19 g/day (95% confidence interval -2.29, -0.09; P = 0.034). A similar tendency was observed in the subgroups of housewives and family members. Our trial suggested that the effects of cooking classes focussing on salt reduction for housewives could be transferred to family members (UMIN-CTR: 000018870). Copyright © 2016 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of an Affordable Wireless Node Sensor (Mote69) Designed for Internet of Thing (IoT) Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruhiyat, Z. F.; Somantri, Y.; Wahyudin, D.; Hakim, D. L.

2018-02-01

This research aims to determine the student’s response to the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) device based on RFM69, called Mote69, for practical work of Aircraft Electronic Circuits and Controllers. Participants in this study were students of a vocational high school of Aircraft Electronics which consisted of three groups. The first group is the students who have grades above the average class. The second group is the students who have grade the average class. The third group is the students who have grades below the average class. The research phase consisted of (1). Observation and Assessment of Empirical Issues; (2). Testing of Media Feasibility and Research Instruments; (3). Accumulate and Processing of Field Data; and (4). Results and Data Conclusions. The result of media feasibility showed that Mote69 is appropriate to be used in practical work of Aircraft Electronic Circuits and Controllers subject.

Impact of facial form on the relationship between conventional or implant-assisted mandibular dentures and masticatory function.

PubMed

Ochiai, Kent T; Hojo, Satoru; Nakamura, Camille; Ikeda, Hideki; Garrett, Neal R

2011-04-01

It is not clear if the interaction of craniofacial form with type of prosthetic restoration (conventional or implant-assisted) is related to masticatory function in complete denture patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among facial form, skeletal class, alveolar residual ridge heights and masticatory function in subjects treated with implant-assisted or conventional mandibular dentures with lateral cephalometric evaluation. Data from a previously reported randomized controlled clinical trial were accessed to compare treatment success rates, functional and perceptual outcomes, dietary intake, and craniofacial relationships between mandibular complete dentures and implant overdentures in edentulous diabetic subjects. Evaluation of the digitized post-insertion lateral cephalometric radiographs provided measures of facial form (mesocephalic "medium", brachycephalic "broad and square", dolichocephalic "vertical and long"), skeletal class (Class I, Class II, Class III), and alveolar ridge height (mm), which were compared to results of standardized masticatory tests as evaluated using MANOVA and REGW post-hoc evaluation (α=.05). Masticatory performance on the preferred side was slightly reduced in the dolichocephalic group, compared to brachycephalic and mesocephalic groups (P=.085). Swallowing threshold performance was significantly less in skeletal Class II subjects compared to Class I (P=.034). Maxillary residual alveolar ridge height was significantly less in the brachycephalic group compared to the dolichocephalic group (P<.001). No differences in mandibular ridge height were seen associated with facial form or skeletal class groups. Facial form may be related to masticatory function with conventional and implant-assisted mandibular dentures, but larger controlled studies are needed to confirm this relationship. Alveolar ridge height is reduced in edentulous subjects with a brachycephalic facial form. Copyright © 2011 The Editorial Council of the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dentofacial effects of skeletal anchored treatment modalities for the correction of maxillary retrognathia.

PubMed

Sar, Cağla; Sahinoğlu, Zahire; Özçirpici, Ayça Arman; Uçkan, Sina

2014-01-01

The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft-tissue effects of 2 skeletal anchorage rationales for Class III treatment compared with an untreated Class III control group. Fifty-one subjects who were in the prepubertal or pubertal growth period were included in the study. In group 1 (n = 17), facemasks were applied from miniplates placed in the lateral nasal walls of the maxilla, and intermaxillary Class III elastics were applied from symphyseal miniplates to a bonded appliance on the maxilla in group 2 (n = 17). These skeletal anchored groups were compared with an untreated control group (n = 17). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained at the beginning and the end of the observation periods in all groups and analyzed according to the structural superimposition method. Differences between the groups were assessed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test or the paired-samples t test. The treatment periods were 7.4 and 7.6 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and the untreated control group was observed for 7.5 months. The maxilla moved forward by 3.11 mm in group 1 and by 3.82 mm in group 2. The counterclockwise rotation of the maxilla was significantly less in group 1 compared with group 2 (P <0.01). The mandible showed clockwise rotation and was positioned downward and backward in the treatment groups, and it was significantly greater in group 2 compared with group 1 (P <0.01). Changes in the maxillary incisor measurements were negligible in group 1 compared with group 2. A significant amount of mandibular incisor retroclination was seen in group 1, and a significant proclination was seen in group 2. The maxillomandibular relationships and the soft-tissue profiles were improved remarkably in both treatment groups. The protocols of miniplates with facemasks and miniplates with Class III elastics offer valid alternatives to conventional methods in severe skeletal Class III patients. However, the 2 maxillary protraction protocols demonstrated significant skeletal and dentoalveolar effects. The miniplate with facemask protocol is preferred for patients with severe maxillary retrusion and a high-angle vertical pattern, whereas in patients with a decreased or normal vertical pattern and retroclined mandibular incisors, miniplates with Class III elastics can be the intraoral treatment option. Therefore, the exact indication of the procedure should be considered carefully. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Relationship between formation/eruption of maxillary teeth and skeletal pattern of maxilla.

PubMed

Suda, Naoto; Hiyama, Shigetoshi; Kuroda, Takayuki

2002-01-01

Previous reports have indicated that formation and eruption of the maxillary teeth, especially the molars, are delayed in skeletal Class III patients compared with Class I and Class II patients. However, the relationship between the formation/eruption of maxillary teeth and the skeletal pattern of the maxilla is not yet clear. To examine this relationship, we studied 81 skeletal Class III Japanese patients (mean age, 8.8 years). The sample was divided into 2 groups: a maxillary retrusion (MR) group, characterized by a small SNA angle and a short palatal length, and a control group in which those values were in the normal range for patients of Japanese descent. There was no significant difference in the rate of formation for the maxillary and mandibular teeth between the 2 groups. The eruption of the maxillary second molars was delayed in the MR group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for any other teeth. A multiple-regression analysis was carried out to examine whether the skeletal pattern of the maxilla is a useful indicator for predicting the eruption of the maxillary teeth. The results showed that palatal length and chronologic age were significant independent (explanatory) variables for predicting eruption of the maxillary second molars. These findings indicated that the skeletal pattern of the maxilla is a useful indicator for predicting the timing of maxillary molar eruption when considering treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusions.

Students' Self-Esteem and Their Perception of Teacher Behavior: A Study of Between-Class Ability Grouping

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kususanto, Prihadi; Ismail, Hairul Nizam; Jamil, Hazri

2010-01-01

Introduction: Between-class ability grouping practice in Malaysian Secondary Schools was studied in order to find the influence students' perception on their teachers' behavior on their self-esteem. Students' perception on teachers' behaviors were divided into two categories: controlling students' behavior to avoid disciplinary matters and…

The Class Debate: A Project to Revitalize the Basic Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vallin, Marlene Boyd

Teaching the basic course in speech communication can be challenging in many ways. A class debate revitalizes the course, while offering an excellent means for evaluating learning at the end of a semester course. Proficient use of interpersonal skills is necessary to organize group members and control group discussion; sufficient knowledge of…

Special Education Placement and the Self-Concepts of Elementary-School Age Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yauman, Beth E.

1980-01-01

The study investigated the relatonship between degree or extent of special education participation and measured self-concept with 45 third-grade male students divided into three groups (students in self-contained LD classes, students provided individual tutoring, and a control group of students from regular classes). (Author/PHR)

Creative Digital Worksheet Base on Mobile Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wibawa, S. C.; Cholifah, R.; Utami, A. W.; Nurhidayat, A. I.

2018-01-01

The student is required to understand and act in the classroom and it is very important for selecting the media learning to determine the learning outcome. An instructional media is needed to help students achieve the best learning outcome. The objectives of this study are (1) to make Android-based student worksheet, (2) to know the students’ response on Android-based student worksheet in multimedia subject, (3) to determine the student result using Android-based student worksheet. The method used was Research and Development (R&D) using post-test-only in controlled quasi-experimental group design. The subjects of the study were 2 classes, a control class and an experimental class. The results showed (1) Android-based student worksheet was categorized very good as percentage of 85%; (2) the students’ responses was categorized very good as percentage of 86.42%; (3) the experimental class results were better than control class. The average result on cognitive tests on the experimental class was 89.97 and on control class was 78.31; whether the average result on psychomotor test on the experimental class was 89.90 and on the control class was 79.83. In conclusion, student result using Android-based student worksheet was better than those without it.

The effects of yoga on psychosocial variables and exercise adherence: a randomized, controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Bryan, Stephanie; Pinto Zipp, Genevieve; Parasher, Raju

2012-01-01

Physical inactivity is a serious issue for the American public. Because of conditions that result from inactivity, individuals incur close to $1 trillion USD in health-care costs, and approximately 250 000 premature deaths occur per year. Researchers have linked engaging in yoga to improved overall fitness, including improved muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance. Researchers have not yet investigated the impact of yoga on exercise adherence. The research team assessed the effects of 10 weeks of yoga classes held twice a week on exercise adherence in previously sedentary adults. The research team designed a randomized controlled pilot trial. The team collected data from the intervention (yoga) and control groups at baseline, midpoint, and posttest (posttest 1) and also collected data pertaining to exercise adherence for the yoga group at 5 weeks posttest (posttest 2). The pilot took place in a yoga studio in central New Jersey in the United States. The pretesting occurred at the yoga studio for all participants. Midpoint testing and posttesting occurred at the studio for the yoga group and by mail for the control group. Participants were 27 adults (mean age 51 y) who had been physically inactive for a period of at least 6 months prior to the study. Interventions The intervention group (yoga group) received hour-long hatha yoga classes that met twice a week for 10 weeks. The control group did not participate in classes during the research study; however, they were offered complimentary post research classes. Outcome Measures The study's primary outcome measure was exercise adherence as measured by the 7-day Physical Activity Recall. The secondary measures included (1) exercise self-efficacy as measured by the Multidimensional Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale, (2) general well-being as measured by the General Well-Being Schedule, (3) exercise-group cohesion as measured by the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ), (4) acute feeling response as measured by the Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory (EFI), and (5) two open-ended questions coded for emerging themes and subcategories. The analysis revealed that the yoga group's mean hours of physical activity at 10 weeks reflected a significant increase in exercise adherence from baseline (P < .012) and a significant difference from the control group (P < .004). At 5 weeks post-intervention, no significant change had occurred in the yoga group's exercise adherence (P = .906). Exercise self-efficacy changed significantly from baseline to midpoint (P < .029). The general wellbeing data demonstrated a significant interaction effect (P < .001), resulting from an increase in general well-being in the intervention group and a decrease in general well-being in the control group. In addition, the yoga group's cohesion score was consistent with the norms on two constructs of the GEQ: Attraction to Group Task and Group Integration Task. The EFI revealed that the yoga participants "felt strongly" that their experiences in yoga were peaceful, happy, upbeat, and enthusiastic and that they felt revived following the yoga classes. Qualitative analysis of data revealed self-reported improvements in exercise behaviors, stress management, and eating habits. Ten weeks of yoga classes twice a week significantly increased previously inactive participants' adherence to physical activity. Additionally, the findings suggest that a mind-body exercise program may be an effective intervention in the fight against physical inactivity.

Thin-plate spline analysis of mandibular shape changes induced by functional appliances in Class II malocclusion : A long-term evaluation.

PubMed

Franchi, Lorenzo; Pavoni, Chiara; Faltin, Kurt; Bigliazzi, Renato; Gazzani, Francesca; Cozza, Paola

2016-09-01

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the long-term morphological mandibular changes induced by functional treatment of Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion. Forty patients (20 females, 20 males) with Class II malocclusion consecutively treated with either a Bionator or an Activator followed by fixed appliances were compared with a control group of 40 subjects (19 females, 21 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms were available at the start of treatment (T1, mean age 9.9 years), at the end of treatment with functional appliances (T2, mean age 12.2 years), and for long-term follow-up (T3, mean age 18.3 years). Mandibular shape changes were analyzed on lateral cephalograms of the subjects in both groups via thin-plate spline (TPS) analysis. Shape differences were statistically analyzed by conducting permutation tests on Goodall F statistics. In the long term, both the treated and control groups exhibited significant longitudinal mandibular shape changes characterized by upward and forward dislocation of point Co associated with a vertical extension in the gonial region and backward dislocation of point B. Functional appliances induced mandible's significant posterior morphogenetic rotation over the short term. The treated and control groups demonstrated similar mandibular shape over the long term.

The influence of Pilates exercises on body balance in the standing position of hearing impaired people.

PubMed

Walowska, Jagoda; Bolach, Bartosz; Bolach, Eugeniusz

2017-11-13

Hearing impairment may affect the body posture maintenance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of modified Pilates exercise program on the body posture maintenance in hearing impaired people. Eighty students (aged 13-24) were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: test group (n = 41) which attended an original program based on modified Pilates exercises and control group (n = 39) which attended standard physical education classes. Stabilographic tests were conducted at baseline and after 6-week training program. Both groups showed improved control of body balance in a standing position manifested in reductions of the length of path, surface area, and speed of deflection. Modified Pilates program was significantly more effective in improving body balance control in relaxed posture and with feet together than standard physical education classes. The greater efficiency of the modified Pilates program was expressed in a significant improvement in balance control parameters, i.e., path length, surface area, and speed of deflection. The modified Pilates program was more effective in improving body balance control in the hearing impaired people than standard physical education classes. Modification of physical activity recommendations for hearing impaired students may be considered; however, further research is required. Implications for Rehabilitation Hearing impairment impacts the mental, social and, physical spheres of life as well as deteriorates equivalent reactions and the way body posture is maintained. In hearing impaired people, control of body balance and muscle coordination is often disturbed, thus more attention should be paid to exercises associated with balance which may improve the ability to learn and develop motor skills. Modified Pilates program was significantly more effective in improving body balance control than standard physical education classes in hearing impaired people.

Impact of a health education program for secondary school Saudi girls about menstruation at Riyadh city.

PubMed

Fetohy, Ebtisam M

2007-01-01

An experimental study was conducted to assess the impact and suitability of menstrual education program (MEP) for 1st and 2nd graders at a girls' secondary school in Riyadh city. The MEP was conducted on 5 classes, through one session and one assessment. The results revealed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice of the intervention classes (1st and 2nd graders) were significantly higher than that of the control classes. Stepwise linear regression models show that the age of menarche and grade were the predictors of students' knowledge among the control group and explained 7.8% of the variation of the knowledge score. Knowledge was a predictor of students' attitude of both groups (control and intervention) (beta = 0.359, 0.300 respectively). Knowledge was also a predictor of students' menstrual practice among control group (beta = -2.12). Attitude was a predictor of students' menstrual practice for both groups (beta = 0.360, 0.252 respectively). The study recommended the replication of the same program among elementary, preparatory, and other secondary schools for improvement of students' menstrual knowledge, attitudes and practice.

A three-dimensional soft tissue analysis of Class III malocclusion: a case-controlled cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Johal, Ama; Chaggar, Amrit; Zou, Li Fong

2018-03-01

The present study used the optical surface laser scanning technique to compare the facial features of patients aged 8-18 years presenting with Class I and Class III incisor relationship in a case-control design. Subjects with a Class III incisor relationship, aged 8-18 years, were age and gender matched with Class I control and underwent a 3-dimensional (3-D) optical surface scan of the facial soft tissues. Landmark analysis revealed Class III subjects displayed greater mean dimensions compared to the control group most notably between the ages of 8-10 and 17-18 years in both males and females, in respect of antero-posterior (P = 0.01) and vertical (P = 0.006) facial dimensions. Surface-based analysis, revealed the greatest difference in the lower facial region, followed by the mid-face, whilst the upper face remained fairly consistent. Significant detectable differences were found in the surface facial features of developing Class III subjects.

Effect of cavity disinfectants on antibacterial activity and microtensile bond strength in class I cavity.

PubMed

Kim, Bo-Ram; Oh, Man-Hwan; Shin, Dong-Hoon

2017-05-31

This study was performed to compare the antibacterial activities of three cavity disinfectants [chlorhexidine (CHX), NaOCl, urushiol] and to evaluate their effect on the microtensile bond strength of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (3M-ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) in class I cavities. In both experiments, class I cavities were prepared in dentin. After inoculation with Streptococcus mutans, the cavities of control group were rinsed and those of CHX, NaOCl and urushiol groups were treated with each disinfectant. Standardized amounts of dentin chips were collected and number of S. mutans was determined. Following the same cavity treatment, same adhesive was applied in etch-and-rinse mode. Then, microtensile bond strength was evaluated. The number of S. mutans was significantly reduced in the cavities treated with CHX, NaOCl, and urushiol compared with control group (p<0.05). However, there was a significant bond strength reduction in NaOCl group, which showed statistical difference compared to the other groups (p<0.05).

The effect of spouses' educational classes held for primiparous women referring to Hajar hospital on their quality of life and pregnancy outcomes.

PubMed

Dehcheshmeh, Faranak Safdari; Salehian, Tahmineh; Parvin, Neda

2014-02-01

With regard to the importance of quality of life in pregnant women, the present study aimed to determine the effect of spouses' educational classes held for primaparous women referring to Hajar hospital on women's quality of life and pregnancy outcomes. This clinical trial was conducted from September 2011 to June 2012 in the clinic of the Hajar university center in Shahrekord. Eligible primiparous women who registered for physiologic delivery educational classes were randomly assigned to study (n = 31) and control (n = 27) groups. In the control group, eight physiologic delivery educational sessions were held. In the study group, in addition to attendance of pregnant women, their husbands also attended the third and the eighth sessions of these classes. Women's quality of life was investigated with SF36 questionnaire and pregnancy outcomes after delivery were investigated. Data were analyzed by t-test and Chi-square test. Before intervention, there was no significant difference between scores of quality of life and demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference only in the dimensions of mental health, hugging time, kissing, and breast feeding between the study and control groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in gestational age, gravida, number of miscarriages, pregnancy outcomes, and spouses' age (P > 0.05). Educational classes held for the pregnant women's husbands during pregnancy can be efficient in promotion of pregnant women's quality of life, especially in improving their mental health.

The Allocation of Teachers in Schools--An Alternative to the Class Size Dialogue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Loader, David N.

1978-01-01

This article looks beyond class size to such specifics as teachers' load, subject electives available, subject load, and different class groupings in developing a flow chart that gives added understanding and control over the variables relating to the deployment of teachers. (Author/IRT)

The effect of learning multimedia on students’ understanding of macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic levels in electrolyte and nonelectrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eliyawati; Rohman, I.; Kadarohman, A.

2018-05-01

This research aims to investigate the effect of learning multimedia on students’ understanding of macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic levels in electrolyte and nonelectrolyte topic. The quasi-experimental with one group pre-test post-test design was used. Thirty-five students were experimental class and another thirty-five were control class. The instrument was used is three representation levels. The t-test was performed on average level of 95% to identify the significant difference between experimental class and control class. The results show that the normalized gain average of experimental class is 0.75 (high) and the normalized gain average of control class is 0.45 (moderate). There is significant difference in students’ understanding in sub-microscopic and symbolic levels and there is not significant difference of students’ understanding in macroscopic level between experimental class and control class. The normalized gain of students’ understanding of macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic in experimental class are 0.6 (moderate), 0.75 (high), and 0.64 (moderate), while the normalized gain of students’ understanding of macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic in control class are 0.49 (moderate), 0.39 (high), and 0.3 (moderate). Therefore, it can be concluded that learning multimedia can help in improving students’ understanding especially in sub-microscopic and symbolic levels.

Adaptive servo-ventilation therapy for patients with chronic heart failure in a confirmatory, multicenter, randomized, controlled study.

PubMed

Momomura, Shin-Ichi; Seino, Yoshihiko; Kihara, Yasuki; Adachi, Hitoshi; Yasumura, Yoshio; Yokoyama, Hiroyuki; Wada, Hiroshi; Ise, Takayuki; Tanaka, Koichi

2015-01-01

Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) therapy is expected to be novel nonpharmacotherapy with hemodynamic effects on patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), but sufficient evidence has not been obtained. A 24-week, open-label, randomized, controlled study was performed to confirm the cardiac function-improving effect of ASV therapy on CHF patients. At 39 institutions, 213 outpatients with CHF, whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40% and who had mild to severe symptoms [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class: ≥II], were enrolled. After excluding 8 patients, 102 and 103 underwent ASV plus guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) [ASV group] and GDMT only [control group], respectively. The primary endpoint was LVEF, and the secondary endpoints were HF deterioration, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and clinical composite response (CCR: NYHA class+HF deterioration). LVEF and BNP improved significantly at completion against the baseline values in the 2 groups. However, no significant difference was found between these groups. HF deterioration tended to be suppressed. The ASV group showed a significant improvement in CCR corroborated by significant improvements in NYHA class and ADL against the control group. Under the present study's conditions, ASV therapy was not superior to GDMT in the cardiac function-improving effect but showed a clinical status-improving effect, thus indicating a given level of clinical benefit.

Clinical evaluation and comparison of the efficacy of coronally advanced flap alone and in combination with platelet rich fibrin membrane in the treatment of Miller Class I and II gingival recessions

PubMed Central

Gupta, Santosh; Banthia, Ruchi; Singh, Pallavi; Banthia, Priyank; Raje, Sapna; Aggarwal, Neha

2015-01-01

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of coronally advanced flap (CAF) alone and in combination with autologous platelet rich fibrin membrane (PRF) in Miller's class I and II gingival recessions. Materials and Method: Thirty isolated Miller class I or II sites in 26 subjects were randomly divided into test (15 sites- CAF+PRF) and control (15 sites- CAF alone). Parameters probing pocket depth (PPD), Recession depth (RD), Clinical attachment loss (CAL), Keratinised tissue width (KTW) and Gingival tissue thickness (GTH) were evaluated at baseline, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Data was subjected to statistical analysis. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean percentage root coverage was 91.00±19.98% and 86.60±23.83% for test and control group respectively. Difference between the groups in all parameters at baseline, 3 months and 6 months was non significant. Complete root coverage was obtained in 12 (80%) and 11 (73.3%) subjects in test and control group respectively. The difference was found to be non-significant. Both groups showed significant differences in all parameters at 3 and 6 months respectively except difference in gingival tissue thickness which was non-significant in control group at 3 months. Conclusion: Combination of PRF to CAF procedure did not provide any added advantage in term of recession coverage in Miller class I and II recessions. Long term trials with more sample size are needed to validate these findings. PMID:26097347

Utilizing geogebra in financial mathematics problems: didactic experiment in vocational college

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghozi, Saiful; Yuniarti, Suci

2017-12-01

GeoGebra application offers users to solve real problems in geometry, statistics, and algebra fields. This studydeterminesthe effect of utilizing Geogebra on students understanding skill in the field of financial mathematics. This didactic experiment study used pre-test-post-test control group design. Population of this study were vocational college students in Banking and Finance Program of Balikpapan State Polytechnic. Two classes in the first semester were chosen using cluster random sampling technique, one class as experiment group and one class as control group. Data were analysed used independent sample t-test. The result of data analysis showed that students understanding skill with learning by utilizing GeoGeobra is better than students understanding skill with conventional learning. This result supported that utilizing GeoGebra in learning can assist the students to enhance their ability and depth understanding on mathematics subject.

Effect of severe kwashiorkor on intellectual development among Nigerian children.

PubMed

Nwuga, V C

1977-09-01

A study was conducted to investigated the intellectual sequelae of severe kwashiorkor among Nigerian children of school age. The design for the study had an experimental urban kwashiorkor (index) group and four control groups, namely, a sibling group, a lower class group, an upper class group, and a rural kwashiorkor group. Various psychological tests measuring specific intellectual abilities were administered to all of the subjects taking part in the study. The findings showed that the index group had lower levels of certain types of intellectual skill-specifically the higher cognitive skills-at school age than their siblings, and more so than other controls except their rural counterparts; males showed a tendency to be more affected by severe kwashiorkor with regard to mental development than their female counterparts; there was no relationship between scores in the psychological tests and the ages at which the index cases were admitted into hospital; the upper class was clearly superior in performance of the tests and also in measures of weight and head measurements when compared to all of the other groups; there was no relationship between head circumference and scores in the tests among subjects in the five groups.

Argumentation Practices in Classroom: Pre-Service Teachers' Conceptual Understanding of Chemical Equilibrium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaya, Ebru

2013-01-01

This study examines the impact of argumentation practices on pre-service teachers' understanding of chemical equilibrium. The sample consisted of 100 pre-service teachers in two classes of a public university. One of these classes was assigned as experimental and the other as control group, randomly. In the experimental group, the subject of…

The Utilization of Exercise to Decrease Depressive Symptoms in Young Adult Women

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balkin, Richard S.; Tietjen-Smith, Tara; Caldwell, Charmaine; Shen, Yu-Pei

2007-01-01

Depression is a prevalent issue for women on college campuses. Undergraduate women participated in (a) an aerobic exercise class, (b) a weight-lifting class, or (c) a control group to determine the effect of exercise on depressive symptoms. Participants in the aerobic exercise group exhibited a significant decrease in depressive symptoms.…

Demonstration Technique to Improve Vocabulary and Grammar Element in Teaching Speaking at EFL Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Husnu, Muhammad

2018-01-01

This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of demonstration technique to improve vocabulary and grammar element in teaching speaking at EFL learners. This research applied true-experimental design. The respondents of the study were 32 students (class IIA) as experimental group and 32 students (class IIB) as control group from the second…

76 FR 10365 - Agency Information Collection Request. 60-Day Public Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-24

... research integrity? To answer the first question, a pretest-posttest control group experimental design is... existing syllabus for a research integrity or research ethics course for the treatment group. The control group will use the existing syllabus with no video simulation in class. Participants will be graduate...

Evaluation of Different Score Index for Predicting Prognosis in Gamma Knife Radiosurgical Treatment for Brain Metastasis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Franzin, Alberto; Snider, Silvia; Picozzi, Piero

2009-07-01

Purpose: To assess the utility of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Recursive Partitioning Analysis (RPA) and Score Index for Radiosurgery (SIR) stratification systems in predicting survival in patients with brain metastasis treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Methods and Materials: A total of 185 patients were included in the study. Patients were stratified according to RPA and SIR classes. The RPA and SIR classes, age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and systemic disease were correlated with survival. Results: Five patients were lost to follow-up. Median survival in patients in RPA Class 1 (30 patients) was 17 months; in Class 2 (140more » patients), 10 months; and in Class 3 (10 patients), 3 months. Median survival in patients in SIR Class 1 (30 patients) was 3 months; in Class 2 (135 patients), 8 months; and in Class 3 (15 patients), 20 months. In univariate testing, age younger than 65 years (p = 0.0004), KPS higher than 70 (p = 0.0001), RPA class (p = 0.0078), SIR class (p = 0.0002), and control of the primary tumor (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with improved outcome. In multivariate analysis, KPS (p < 0.0001), SIR class (p = 0.0008), and RPA class (p = 0.03) had statistical value. Conclusions: This study supports the use of GKRS as a single-treatment modality in this selected group of patients. Stratification systems are useful in the estimation of patient eligibility for GKRS. A second-line treatment was necessary in 30% of patients to achieve distal or local brain control. This strategy is useful to control brain metastasis in long-surviving patients.« less

Effectiveness of Case-Based Learning Instruction on Epistemological Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Çam, Aylin; Geban, Ömer

2011-02-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of case-based learning instruction over traditionally designed chemistry instruction on eleventh grade students' epistemological beliefs and their attitudes toward chemistry as a school subject. The subjects of this study consisted of 63 eleventh grade students from two intact classes of an urban high school instructed with same teacher. Each teaching method was randomly assigned to one class. The experimental group received case-based learning and the control group received traditional instruction. At the experimental group, life cases were presented with small group format; at the control group, lecturing and discussion was carried out. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control group with respect to their epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward chemistry as a school subject in favor of case-based learning method group. Thus, case base learning is helpful for development of students' epistemological beliefs and attitudes toward chemistry.

Tablet vs. Paper: The Effect on Learners' Reading Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dundar, Hakan; Akcayir, Murat

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study is to compare primary school 5th-class students' electronic text reading performance, reading speed and reading comprehension with tablet PCs and printed books. This study examined a sample of 20 students. The students were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a treatment group. The control group students…

Treatment effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device used with miniscrew anchorage.

PubMed

Aslan, Belma I; Kucukkaraca, Ebru; Turkoz, Cagri; Dincer, Mufide

2014-01-01

To evaluate the dentofacial effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) used with miniscrew anchorage (FRDMS) and compare them with those of conventional FRD and an untreated Class II control group. The sample consisted of 48 Class II subjects. Sixteen patients (13.68 ± 1.09 years of age) were treated with FRDMS, whereas 17 subjects (14.64 ± 1.56 years of age) were treated with only FRD. Also, a control sample of 15 untreated Class II subjects (14.13 ± 1.50 years of age) was constructed. Angular and linear measurements were made on 96 lateral cephalograms. Paired t, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis. Class I molar relationship and overjet correction were achieved in an average period of 6.5 ± 1.97 and 5.5 ± 1.80 months in the FRDMS and FRD groups, respectively. No skeletal effect was determined in both treatment groups. Greater overbite correction was found in the FRD group. Retrusion and extrusion of maxillary incisors, distalization of maxillary molars, and extrusion of mandibular molars were significant in both treatment groups. Labial tipping of mandibular incisors was significantly greater in the FRD group than in the FRDMS group. Overjet and molar correction was totally dentoalveolar. Unfavorable labial tipping of mandibular incisors was effectively minimized with the usage of miniscrews.

Correlation between occlusion and cervical posture in patients with bruxism.

PubMed

Cesar, Guilherme Manna; Tosato, Juliana de Paiva; Biasotto-Gonzalez, Daniela Ap

2006-08-01

The goal of this study was to evaluate head and neck posture in the rest position of patients with bruxism and patients without temporomandibular disorder signs or symptoms to further relate them with Angle's class of malocclusion. Fifty-six volunteers participated in this study, ages 18 to 27 years with an average age of 22.5 years. They were divided into 2 groups: Group B--28 subjects with parafunctions (teeth grinding or clenching); and Group C--28 subjects without parafunctional habits (control group). All participants were photographed, and their pictures were analyzed and compared with the software Alcimagem (Instrumental Concept and Movement Analysis Laboratory, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil). The results demonstrated that variation of angular values did not present statistical difference for the studied groups. Regarding Angle's class of malocclusion, class I was predominant in Group C, and classes II and III were predominant in Group B. The mental-sternal angle calculated did not present statistical significance between the groups; however, there was a greater variation between the smaller angle and the higher angle in Group B, contrary to Group C.

Examining the Heterogeneity and Cost Effectiveness of a Complex Intervention by Segmentation of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

Sørensen, Sabrina Storgaard; Jensen, Morten Berg; Pedersen, Kjeld Møller; Ehlers, Lars

2018-02-01

To examine the heterogeneity in cost-effectiveness analyses of patient-tailored complex interventions. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed on data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating a patient-tailored case management strategy for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). LCA was conducted on detailed process variables representing service variation in the intervention group. Features of the identified latent classes were compared for consistency with baseline demographic, clinical, and economic characteristics for each class. Classes for the control group, corresponding to the identified latent classes for the intervention group, were identified using multinomial logistic regression. Cost-utility analyses were then conducted at the class level, and uncertainty surrounding the point estimates was assessed by probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The LCA identified three distinct classes: the psychologically care class, the extensive COPD care class, and the limited COPD care class. Patient baseline characteristics were in line with the features identified in the LCA. Evaluation of cost-effectiveness revealed highly disparate results, and case management for only the extensive COPD care class appeared cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £26,986 per quality-adjusted life-year gained using the threshold value set by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Findings indicate that researchers evaluating patient-tailored complex interventions need to address both supply-side variation and demand-side heterogeneity to link findings with outcome. The article specifically proposes the use of LCA because it is believed to have the potential to enable more appropriate targeting of complex care strategies. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thin-plate spline analysis of mandibular morphological changes induced by early class III treatment: a long-term evaluation.

PubMed

Franchi, Lorenzo; Pavoni, Chiara; Cerroni, Silvia; Cozza, Paola

2014-08-01

To evaluate the long-term mandibular morphological changes induced by early treatment of class III malocclusion with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and facial mask (FM). Twenty-five subjects [10 boys, 15 girls; mean age at T1 (start of treatment) 9.3±1.6 years] with class III disharmony were treated with RME and FM therapy followed by fixed appliances. The patients were re-evaluated at the end of growth (T2), about 8.5 years after the end of the treatment (mean age, 18.6±2.0 years). Sixteen subjects with untreated class III malocclusion comprised the control group. Mandibular shape changes were analysed on the lateral cephalograms of the subjects of both groups by means of thin-plate spline (TPS) analysis. Procrustes average mandibular configurations were subjected to TPS analysis by means of both cross-sectional between-group comparisons at T1 and at T2 and longitudinal within-group comparisons. Statistical analysis of shape differences was performed using a generalized Goodall F test. In the long term, the treated group exhibited a significant upward and forward direction of condylar growth. On the contrary, untreated class III subjects showed an upward and backward direction of condylar growth associated with a downward and forward deformation of the mandibular symphysis. Limitations are related to the small sample size of both treated and control groups and to the retrospective nature of the study. Early treatment of class III malocclusion with RME and FM is able to produce significant and favourable long-term mandibular shape changes characterized by an anterior morphogenetic rotation. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

47 CFR 73.1125 - Station main studio location.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... so doing would be consistent with the operation of the station in the public interest. (c) Each Class... respect to a group of commonly controlled stations, Class A stations whose predicted Grade B contours are physically contiguous to each other may locate their main studio within any of these contours. If a Class A...

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of information processing in first psychosis: latent class analyses in patients, at-risk subjects, and controls.

PubMed

van Tricht, Mirjam J; Bour, Lo J; Koelman, Johannes H T M; Derks, Eske M; Braff, David L; de Wilde, Odette M; Boerée, Thijs; Linszen, Don H; de Haan, Lieuwe; Nieman, Dorien H

2015-04-01

We aimed to determine profiles of information processing deficits in the pathway to first psychosis. Sixty-one subjects at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis were assessed, of whom 18 converted to a first episode of psychosis (FEP) within the follow-up period. Additionally, 47 FEP and 30 control subjects were included. Using 10 neurophysiological parameters associated with information processing, latent class analyses yielded three classes at baseline. Class membership was related to group status. Within the UHR sample, two classes were found. Transition to psychosis was nominally associated with class membership. Neurophysiological profiles were unstable over time, but associations between specific neurophysiological components at baseline and follow-up were found. We conclude that certain constellations of neurophysiological variables aid in the differentiation between controls and patients in the prodrome and after first psychosis. Copyright © 2014 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Effects of carvedilol therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction - Results from the Croatian heart failure (CRO-HF) registry.

PubMed

Domagoj, Markovic; Branka, Jurcevic Zidar; Jelena, Macanovic; Davor, Milicic; Duska, Glavas

2018-04-17

According to recent guidelines, the best approach for treatment of heart failure patients with preserved ejection function is still not defined. The aim of this study was to investigate how carvedilol therapy influences the survival rate, ejection fraction and NYHA class in these patients. We conducted study on heart failure patients with preserved systolic function from the Croatian heart failure registry who were hospitalized in the period between 2005 and 2010. We enrolled patients with carvedilol listed as treatment on their discharge letters and patients who had been using carvedilol for at least 4 years, while for the control group we selected patients with no beta-blockers on their discharge letters (113 vs 204 respectively). The primary outcome was the overall survival rate and the secondary outcome was the change in ejection fraction of the left ventricle and NYHA class during the study. Patients in the carvedilol group had a higher overall survival rate compared to patients in the control group (chi-square=14.1, P<0.001). Patients in the carvedilol group in two measurements had a significantly higher ejection fraction compared to the control group (F=148.04, P<0.001). Also, patients in the carvedilol group showed improvement in NYHA class (chi-square=29.768, P<0.001). Long term carvedilol therapy appears to be associated with a higher overall survival rate, improvement in ejection fraction and NYHA class in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Effects of Peer Instruction on State College Student Achievement in an Introductory Biology Unit in Genetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKnight, Holly Nicole

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Peer Instruction (PI) in a state college biology classroom. Students discussed biological concepts in the area of genetics among their peers during class time. Conceptual questions were delivered to the student in the form of ConcepTests, conceptual questions designed to uncover students' misconceptions in the material. Students first answered a question projected from the computer to an overhead screen on their own. Depending on the percentage of students that answered correctly, students then discussed their answers with their peers (PI). These discussions allowed students to uncover their misunderstandings in the material by asking them to think about what they know and what they don't know. Students' initial and secondary responses to the related questions gave the instructor a real time instant view of the collective class' conceptual understanding of concepts being covered. This study was a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, control group design. The sample consisted of 134 students enrolled in General Biology (BSCC 1010) a Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) in Palm Bay, Florida. Both control N = 62 and experimental groups N = 72 were comprised of whole intact classes during the Fall 2014 semester. The control groups received traditional lecture content during the course of the study. They had access to conceptual questions but they were not used in a Peer Instruction format during class time. A statistical analysis was conducted after the completion of pre-tests and posttests during the Fall 2014 semester. Although there was an increase in test scores in the experimental group compared to the control, the results were not significant with p = 0.0687 at an alpha level of .05. No significant difference was found in retention p= 0.5954, gender p = 0.4487 or past science coursework p = 0.6695 between classes that engaged in PI and classes that were taught in traditional lecture-based classes. There were, however, significant differences in correct answers on the individual ConcepTests between the first and second time they answered questions after participating in Peer Instruction, p = .0008.

Treatment and post-treatment effects of functional therapy on the sagittal pharyngeal dimensions in Class II subjects.

PubMed

Pavoni, Chiara; Cretella Lombardo, Elisabetta; Franchi, Lorenzo; Lione, Roberta; Cozza, Paola

2017-10-01

To evaluate the craniofacial changes induced by functional appliances with special regard to the oro and nasopharyngeal sagittal airway dimensions in subjects with dentoskeletal Class II malocclusions when compared with an untreated Class II control group immediately after therapy and at long-term observation. A group of 40 patients (21 females and 19 males) with Class II malocclusion treated consecutively either with a Bionator or an Activator followed by fixed appliances was compared with a matched control group of 31 subjects (16 females and 15 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. The treated sample was evaluated at T1, start of treatment (mean age: 9.9 ± 1.4 years); T2, end of functional treatment and prior to fixed appliances (mean age: 11.9 ± 1.3 years); and T3, long-term observation at the end of growth (mean age: 18.2 ± 2.1 years). Statistical comparisons were performed with independent sample t tests at T1 (baseline characteristics) and for the T1-T2, T2-T3, and T1-T3 changes. During active treatment the treated group showed a significant increment in lower airway dimension (PNS-AD1), as well as a significant improvement in the upper airway dimension (PNS-AD2). A significant decrease in the upper adenoid size (AD2-H) was also found. In the longterm evaluation, a significant increase in both lower and upper airway thickness (PNS-AD1; PNS-AD2) and a significant decrease in the upper adenoid thickness were still present in the treated group. The treatment with functional appliances produced significant favorable changes during active treatment in the oro- and nasopharyngeal sagittal airway dimensions in dentoskeletal Class II subjects when compared with untreated controls, and these changes were stable in the long-term. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of a Traditional Lecture-Based and Online Supplemental Video and Lecture-Based Approach in an Engineering Statics Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Halupa, Colleen M.; Caldwell, Benjamin W.

2015-01-01

This quasi-experimental research study evaluated two intact undergraduate engineering statics classes at a private university in Texas. Students in the control group received traditional lecture, readings and homework assignments. Those in the experimental group also were given access to a complete set of online video lectures and videos…

The Effects of Cooperative Learning on Student Achievement and Motivation in a High School Geometry Class.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nichols, Joe D.; Hall, Neff

In this study, the effects of a form of cooperative group instruction (Student Teams Achievement Divisions) on student motivation and achievement in a high school geometry class were examined. Ninety (mostly 10th-grade) students were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving traditional instruction or one of two treatment groups…

Relationship between Bilingual Instruction and Learners' Performance in English as Second Language Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khan, Huma Imran

2015-01-01

The prime purpose of this study was to explore a correlation between bilingual instruction in an ESL class and the class performance of the ESL learners at the secondary level. Quantitative research method was used to evaluate the test performance of 60 ESL learners divided into two groups: One was the controlled group (which was given…

Enhancement of equivalence class formation by pretraining discriminative functions.

PubMed

Nartey, Richard K; Arntzen, Erik; Fields, Lanny

2015-03-01

The present experiment showed that a simple discriminative function acquired by an abstract stimulus through simultaneous and/or successive discrimination training enhanced the formation of an equivalence class of which that stimulus was a member. College students attempted to form three equivalence classes composed of three nodes and five members (A→B→C→D→E), using the simultaneous protocol. In the PIC group, the C stimuli were pictures and the A, B, D, and E stimuli were abstract shapes. In the ABS group, all of the stimuli were abstract shapes. In the SIM + SUCC (simultaneous and successive) group, simple discriminations were formed with the C stimuli through both simultaneous and successive discrimination training before class formation. Finally, in the SIM-only and SUCC-only groups, prior to class formation, simple discriminations were established for the C stimuli with a simultaneous procedure and a successive procedure, respectively. Equivalence classes were formed by 80% and 70% of the participants in the PIC and SIM + SUCC groups respectively, by 30% in the SUCC-only group, and by 10% apiece in the ABS and SIM-only groups. Thus, pretraining of combined simultaneous and successive discriminations enhanced class formation, as did the inclusion of a meaningful stimulus in a class. The isolated effect of forming successive discriminations was more influential than that of forming simultaneous discriminations. The establishment of both discriminations together produced an enhancement greater than the sum of the two procedures alone. Finally, a sorting test documented the maintenance of the classes formed during the simultaneous protocol. These results also provide a stimulus control-function account of the class-enhancing effects of meaningful stimuli.

The Effects of Conceptual Understanding Procedures (CUPs) Towards Critical Thinking Skills of Senior High School Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukaesih, S.; Sutrisno

2017-04-01

The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of the application of Conceptual Understanding Procedures (CUPs) learning to the students’ critical thinking skills in the matter of categorisaed in SMA Negeri 1 Larangan. This study was quasi-experimental design using nonequivalent control group design. The population in this study was entire class X. The samples that were taken by convenience sampling were class X MIA 1 and X MIA 2. Primary data in the study was the student’s critical thinking skills, which was supported by student activity, the level of adherence to the CUPs learning model, student opinion and teacher opinion. N-gain test results showed that the students’ critical thinking skills of experimental class increased by 89.32%, while the control group increased by 57.14%. Activity grade of experimental class with an average value of 72.37 was better than that of the control class with an average of only 22.69 student and teacher opinions to the learning were excellegoodnt. Based on this study concluded that the model of Conceptual Understanding Procedures (CUPs) had an effect on the student’s critical thinking skills in the matter of protest in SMA Negeri 1 Larangan.

Study groups: are they effective in preparing students for NCLEX-RN?

PubMed

Ashley, J; O'Neil, J

1994-10-01

The effectiveness of faculty-directed study groups as an intervention to prepare nurse candidates for NCLEX-RN was evaluated. The NCLEX-RN performance of a baccalaureate class who had participated in study groups was compared to the performance of a prior class who had not participated in study groups. Academic subgroups within the classes were compared to determine if study groups were equally effective across levels of academic achievement. The possible reasons for the significant difference in the NCLEX-RN passing rate between "at-risk" students who participated in study groups and at-risk students who did not participate in study groups are discussed. Discussion also considers possible factors influencing the generally better performance of study group participants at all academic levels. Suggestions for future intervention research direct attention to time intensity of interventions and research control through random assignments to treatment groups.

Extraction of maxillary first molars improves second and third molar inclinations in Class II Division 1 malocclusion.

PubMed

Livas, Christos; Halazonetis, Demetrios J; Booij, Johan Willem; Katsaros, Christos

2011-09-01

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in inclination of the maxillary second (M2) and third (M3) molars after orthodontic treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with extraction of maxillary first molars. Two groups of subjects were studied. The experimental group consisted of 37 subjects, 18 boys and 19 girls (mean age, 13.2 ± 1.62 years). The inclusion criteria were white origin, Class II Division 1 malocclusion, overjet ≥4 mm, no missing teeth or agenesis, and maxillary M3 present. All patients were treated with extraction of the maxillary first molars and the Begg technique. Standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at the start of active treatment (T1) and at least 3.7 years posttreatment (T2). The control group was drawn from the archives of the Nittedal Growth Material (Oslo University, Oslo, Norway) and included 54 untreated Class I and Class II subjects,18 boys and 36 girls (mean age, 13.4 ± 1.99 years) followed up for a minimum of 3.6 years. M2 and M3 inclinations relative to the palatal plane (PP) and functional occlusal plane (FOP) were measured and compared between groups and time periods. M2 to PP inclination improved significantly in both the control group (M2-PP at T1, 17.7° ± 5.81°, and at T2, 11.9° ± 4.61°) and the experimental group (M2-PP at T1, 26.7° ± 5.75°, and at T2, 6.9° ± 6.76°). There were also significant increases of the mesial inclination of M3 in the control group (M3-PP at T1, 30.1° ± 8.54°, and at T2, 19.6° ± 9.01°) and extraction group (M3-PP at T1, 32.2° ± 7.90°, and at T2, 12.8° ± 7.36°). By using the FOP as the reference system, no significant change in the inclination of M2 was observed in the control group, whereas, in the extraction group, although more distally inclined at T1, M2 ended up mesially inclined at T2 (M2-FOP at T1, 14.2° ± 4.62°, and at T2, -6.2° ± 6.10°; P <0.0001). M3 inclinations were similar between the groups at T1 (M3-FOP control, 17.3° ± 9.35°; M3-FOP experimental, 19.6° ± 7.37°), and these improved significantly in both groups. However, M3 uprighting was almost 4 times greater in the extraction group (M3-FOP from T2-T1, 5.6° vs 19.9°). The greatest distal inclination of M3 at T2 in the extraction group was 9.4°, a value attained by only 43% of the control group. Extraction of the maxillary first molars in Class II Division 1 patients results in significant uprighting of M2 and M3 and facilitates the normal eruption of M3. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The influences of Taiwan's generic grouping price policy on drug prices and expenditures: evidence from analysing the consumption of the three most-used classes of cardiovascular drugs.

PubMed

Chen, Chi-Liang; Chen, Likwang; Yang, Wei-Chih

2008-04-12

Controlling the growth of pharmaceutical expenditures is a major global challenge. Promotion of generic drug prescriptions or use is gaining increased support. There are substantial contextual differences in international experiences of implementing pharmaceutical policies related to generic drugs. Reporting these experiences from varied perspectives can inform future policy making. This study describes an experience of Taiwan, where patients with chronic (long-term) conditions are usually managed in hospitals and drugs are provided in this setting with costs reimbursed through the National Health Insurance (NHI). It investigates the effects of Taiwan's reimbursement rate adjustment based on chemical generic grouping in 2001. This research also demonstrates the use of micro-level longitudinal data to generate policy-relevant information. The research can be used to improve efficiency of health care resource use. We chose the three most-used classes of cardiovascular drugs for this investigation: beta blocking agents, calcium channel blockers mainly with vascular effects, and plain ACE inhibitors. For each drug class, we investigated changes in daily expense, consumption volume, and total expenditures from a pre-action period to a corresponding post-action period. We compared an exposure or "intervention" group of patients targeted by the action with a comparisonor "control" group of patients not targeted by the action. The data sources are a longitudinal database for 200,000 NHI enrolees, corresponding NHI registration data of health care facilities, and an archive recording all historical data on the reimbursement rates of drugs covered by the NHI. We adopted a fixed effects linear regression model to control for unobserved heterogeneity among patient-hospital groups. Additional descriptive statistics were applied to examine whether any inappropriate consumption of drugs in the three classes existed. The daily drug expense significantly decreased from the pre-action period to the post-action period for the exposure group. The average magnitudes of the decreases for the three classes of drugs mentioned above were 14.8%, 5.8% and 5.8%, respectively. In contrast, there was no reduction for the comparison group. The number of days of the prescription increased significantly from the pre- to the post-action period for both exposure and comparison groups. The total expense also significantly increased for both patient groups. For the exposure group, the average magnitudes of the growth in the total expenditure for the three classes of drugs were 47.7%, 60.0% and 55.3%, respectively. For the comparison group, they were 91.6%, 91.6% and 63.2%, respectively. After the action, approximately 50% of patients obtained more than 180 days of prescription drugs for a six-month period. The 2001 price adjustment action, based on generic grouping, significantly reduced the daily expense of each of the three classes of cardiovascular drugs. However, in response to this policy change, hospitals in Taiwan tended to greatly expand the volume of drugs prescribed for their regular patients. Consequently, the total expenditures for the three classes of drugs grew substantially after the action. These knock-on effects weakened the capability of the price adjustment action to control total pharmaceutical expenditures. This means that no saved resources were available for other health care uses. Such expansion of pharmaceutical consumption might also lead to inefficient use of the three drug classes: a large proportion of patients obtained more than one day of drugs per day in the post-action period, suggesting manipulation to increase reimbursement and offset price controls. We recommend that Taiwan's government use the NHI data to establish a monitoring system to detect inappropriate prescription patterns before implementing future policy changes. Such a monitoring system could then be used to deter hospitals from abusing their prescription volumes, making it possible to more effectively save health care resources by reducing drug reimbursement rates.

A Controlled Trial of Teaching Clinical Biochemistry by the Keller Plan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schwartz, Peter L.

1980-01-01

Thirty medical students at the University of Otago were randomly chosen to learn clinical biochemistry by the Keller Plan. The rest of the class acted as controls. The randomly selected Keller group scored significantly higher than the control group on a practice/review test and the final examination. (Author/MLW)

The effect of homogeneous and heterogeneous review pairs on student achievement and attitude when utilizing computer-assisted instruction in middle-level Earth science classes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyon, Ellen Beth

1998-09-01

This research project investigated the influence of homogeneous (like-ability) review pairs coupled with heterogeneous (mixed-ability) cooperative learning groups using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on academic achievement and attitude toward science in eighth grade Earth science students. Subjects were placed into academic quartiles (Hi, Med-Hi, Med-Lo, and Lo) based on achievement. Cooperative learning groups of four (one student from each academic quartile) were formed in all classes, within which students completed CAI through a software package entitled Geoscience Education Through Interactive Technology, or GETITspTM. Each day, when computer activities were completed, students in the experimental classes were divided into homogeneous review pairs to review their work. The students in the control classes were divided into heterogeneous review pairs to review their work. The effects of the experimental treatment were measured by pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest measures, by pre- and post-student attitude scales, and by evaluation of amendments students made to their work during the time spent in review pairs. Results showed that student achievement was not significantly influenced by placement in homogeneous or heterogeneous review pairs, regardless of academic quartile assignment. Student attitude toward science as a school subject did not change significantly due to experimental treatment. Achievement retention of students in experimental and control groups within each quartile showed no significant difference. Notebook amendment patterns showed some significant differences in a few categories. For the Hi quartile, there were significant differences in numbers of deletion amendments and substitution amendments between the experimental and the control group. In both cases, subjects in the experimental group (homogeneous review pairs) made greater number of amendments then those in the control group (heterogeneous review pairs). For the Lo quartile, there was a significant difference in the number of grammar/usage/mechanics (GUM) amendments between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group made far more GUM amendments than the control group. This research highlights the fact that many factors may influence a successful learning environment in which CAI is successfully implemented. Educational research projects should be designed and used to help teachers create learning environments in which CAI is maximized.

Occlusal features and need for orthodontic treatment in persons with osteogenesis imperfecta.

PubMed

Nguyen, Minh Son; Binh, Ho Duy; Nguyen, Khac Minh; Maasalu, Katre; Kõks, Sulev; Märtson, Aare; Saag, Mare; Jagomägi, Triin

2017-02-01

The aim of the study was to (a) analyse dental occlusion and determine the need for orthodontic treatment of persons with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in comparison with the healthy population and (b) investigate the associations between OI and malocclusion. A case-control study included 26 OI persons and 400 healthy participants (control group). Occlusal features and the need for orthodontic treatment were defined according to Dental Health Component-Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and Dental Aesthetic Index. Results showed that Angle Class I, II, and III relationship was found in 23.1%, 3.8%, and 73.1% of OI group, and in the control group, it was 67%, 17.5%, and 15.5%, respectively. OI group had significantly higher prevalence of reverse overjet >1 mm (76.9%), missing teeth (42.3%), posterior crossbite (34.6%), and open bite >2 mm (19.2%) compared to the control group (8.5%, 2.2%, 6.2%, and 3.5%, respectively). OI group had less incisal segment crowding and more incisal segment spacing than the control group ( p  < 0.05). The need for orthodontic treatment of OI group according to Dental Health Component-Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and Dental Aesthetic Index was 88.5% and 61.5%, respectively, while in the control group, it was 24.8% and 51.8%. The malocclusion in OI persons was associated with reverse overjet > 1 mm (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 3.9-44.7, p  < .001), Angle Class III malocclusion (OR = 8.0, 95% CI = 2.0-30.8, p  = .003), and missing teeth (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.0-22.4, p  = .049). In conclusion, there is the high probability of malocclusion in OI persons. Persons with OI require early orthodontic treatment because of significant correlation of OI disease with Angle Class III malocclusion, reverse overjet, and missing teeth.

Mail Education Is as Effective as In-Class Education in Hypertensive Korean Patients

PubMed Central

Kim, Miyong T.; Kim, Eun-Young; Han, Hae-Ra; Jeong, Seonghee; Lee, Jong Eun; Park, Hyun Jeong; Kim, Kim B.; Hill, Martha N.

2010-01-01

Many Korean American persons have hypertension, but competing life priorities often prevent them from attending health-promotion educational activities. Using principles of community-based participatory research, the authors conducted a prospective clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of a mailed vs an in-class culturally tailored education intervention. A total of 380 hypertensive Korean American persons from the Baltimore/Washington area were assigned to a more intense in-class education group or a less intensive mail education group. Evaluation of postintervention blood pressure (BP) outcomes revealed that significant reductions in systolic BP (13.3 mm Hg and 16.1 mm Hg, respectively) and diastolic BP (9.5 mm Hg and 10.9 mm Hg) and increases in BP control rates (42.3% and 54.3%) were achieved in both groups. No significant differences in BP outcomes between groups, however, were found. In conclusion, education by mail was an effective strategy for improving BP control and may be a viable approach for other immigrant groups if the education materials address their cultural needs. PMID:18326962

The Effect of Guided-Inquiry Instruction on 6th Grade Turkish Students' Achievement, Science Process Skills, and Attitudes Toward Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koksal, Ela Ayse; Berberoglu, Giray

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of guided-inquiry approach in science classes over existing science and technology curriculum in developing content-based science achievement, science process skills, and attitude toward science of grade level 6 students in Turkey. Non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the treatment effect. There were 162 students in the experimental group and 142 students in the control group. Both the experimental and control group students took the Achievement Test in Reproduction, Development, and Growth in Living Things (RDGLT), Science Process Skills Test, and Attitudes Toward Science Questionnaire, as pre-test and post-test. Repeated analysis of variance design was used in analyzing the data. Both the experimental and control group students were taught in RDGLT units for 22 class hours. The results indicated the positive effect of guided-inquiry approach on the Turkish students' cognitive as well as affective characteristics. The guided inquiry enhanced the experimental group students' understandings of the science concepts as well as the inquiry skills more than the control group students. Similarly, the experimental group students improved their attitudes toward science more than the control group students as a result of treatment. The guided inquiry seems a transition between traditional teaching method and student-centred activities in the Turkish schools.

Expanding Geographic Understanding in Grade 8 Social Studies Classes through Integration of Geography, Music, and History: A Quasi-Experimental Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richardson, Ronald Craig

2009-01-01

This study took place in a high-achieving, suburban middle school and compared learning as a result of nine Grade 8 social studies workshops. Three classes (N=84) were the control group and four classes (N=131) were the treatment. As much as possible, classes were balanced in terms of gender, ethnicity, and proficiency in English. The key question…

Long-term skeletal and dental effects and treatment timing for functional appliances in Class II malocclusion.

PubMed

Franchi, Lorenzo; Pavoni, Chiara; Faltin, Kurt; McNamara, James A; Cozza, Paola

2013-03-01

To analyze the long-term skeletal and dentoalveolar effects and to evaluate treatment timing of Class II treatment with functional appliances followed by fixed appliances. A group of 40 patients (22 females and 18 males) with Class II malocclusion consecutively treated either with a Bionator or an Activator followed by fixed appliances was compared with a control group of 20 subjects (9 females and 11 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms were available at the start of treatment (mean age 10 years), end of treatment with functional appliances (mean age 12 years), and long-term observation (mean age 18.6 years). The treated sample also was divided into two groups according to skeletal maturity. The early-treatment group was composed of 20 subjects (12 females and 8 males) treated before puberty, while the late-treatment group included 20 subjects (10 females and 10 males) treated at puberty. Statistical comparisons were performed with analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc tests. Significant long-term mandibular changes (Co-Gn) in the treated group (3.6 mm over the controls) were associated with improvements in the skeletal sagittal intermaxillary relationship, overjet, and molar relationship (∼3.0-3.5 mm). Treatment during the pubertal peak was able to produce significantly greater increases in total mandibular length (4.3 mm) and mandibular ramus height (3.1 mm) associated with a significant advancement of the bony chin (3.9 mm) when compared with treatment before puberty. Treatment of Class II malocclusion with functional appliances appears to be more effective at puberty.

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in difficult locations: Strategies and long-term outcomes

PubMed Central

Yang, Wei; Yan, Kun; Wu, Gong-Xiong; Wu, Wei; Fu, Ying; Lee, Jung-Chieh; Zhang, Zhong-Yi; Wang, Song; Chen, Min-Hua

2015-01-01

AIM: To investigate the treatment strategies and long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in difficult locations and to compare the results with non-difficult HCC. METHODS: From 2004 to 2012, a total of 470 HCC patients underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA. Among these HCC patients, 382 with tumors located ≤ 5 mm from a major vessel/bile duct (n = 87), from peripheral important structures (n = 232) or from the liver capsule (n = 63) were regarded as difficult cases. There were 331 male patients and 51 female patients, with an average age of 55.3 ± 10.1 years old. A total of 235 and 147 patients had Child-Pugh class A and class B liver function, respectively. The average tumor size was 3.4 ± 1.2 cm. Individual treatment strategies were developed to treat these difficult cases. During the same period, 88 HCC patients with tumors that were not in difficult locations served as the control group. In the control group, 74 patients were male, and 14 patients were female, with an average age of 57.4 ± 11.8 years old. Of these, 62 patients and 26 patients had Child-Pugh class A and class B liver function, respectively. Regular follow-up after RFA was performed to assess treatment efficacy. Survival results were generated from Kaplan-Meier estimates, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: Early tumor necrosis rate in the difficult group was similar to that in the control group (97.6% vs 94.3%, P = 0.080). The complication rate in the difficult group was significantly higher than that in the control group (4.9% vs 0.8%, P = 0.041). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 116 mo, with an average of 28 ± 22.4 mo. Local progression rate in the difficult group was significantly higher than that in the control group (12.7% vs 7.1%, P = 0.046). However, the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year overall survival rates in the difficult group were not significantly different from those in the control group (84.3%, 54.4%, 41.2%, and 29.9% vs 92.5%, 60.3%, 43.2%, and 32.8%, respectively, P = 0.371). Additionally, a multivariate analysis revealed that tumor location was not a significant risk factor for survival. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in long-term overall survival between the two groups even though the local progression rate was higher in the difficult group. PMID:25663774

Analysis by flow cytometry of the subpopulations of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of procain or diethylaminoethanol treated rabbits.

PubMed

Vrăbiescu, A; Radu, D; Dolganiuc, A; Bordea, M; Olinescu, A

1998-01-01

The authors worked on 3 groups of 8 male rabbits, New Zealand race: 1) controls; 2) procain injected i.m., 15 mg/kg body weight, daily, for 30 days; 3) i.m. injected with diethylaminoethanol (DEAE), 15 mg/kg body weight, daily, for 35 days. The expression of the MHC I, MHC II, CD43, CD4 and IgM antigenic markers on the plasmatic membrane of the lymphocytes was studied using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies. Procain or DEAE treatment reduced the percentage of lymphocytes expressing I MHC, from 99.06 in the control group, to 94.51 in procain group and to 96.91 in the DEAE group. The intensity of expression of MHC complexes of class II decreases from 160.94 in the control group, to 107.21 in the procain group and to 104.05 in the DEAE group. No significant differences were noticed between the three groups of rabbits concerning the rate of lymphocytes that have on their surface expressed markers for CD43 (lymphocytes T), CD4 (Th), or IgM (lymphocytes B). Lymphocytosis induced in rabbits as a result of the DEAE treatment took place without a change in the proportions of lymphocyte subpopulations. The authors consider that owing to their capacity to reduce the expression of antigens MHC of class I and class II on the membrane of lymphocytes, procain and DEAE can have benefic effects in some autoimmune, autoaggression and inflammatory diseases.

Assessing the Relationship between Different Types of Student Feedback and the Quality of Revised Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diab, Nuwar Mawlawi

2011-01-01

This paper reports on a quasi-experimental study comparing the effects of peer-editing to self-editing on improving students' revised drafts. The study involved two intact classes (experimental and control groups) of an English course. The experimental group practiced peer-editing while the control group engaged in self-editing. After receiving…

Self Assessment and Student-Centred Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDonald, Betty

2012-01-01

This paper seeks to show how self assessment facilitates student-centred learning (SCL) and fills a gap in the literature. Two groups of students were selected from a single class in a tertiary educational institution. The control group of 25 was selected randomly by the tossing of an unbiased coin (heads = control group). They were trained in the…

Increased frequency of class I and II anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma and associated factors: a comparative study.

PubMed

Tozkir, Hilmi; Pamuk, Omer Nuri; Duymaz, Julide; Gurkan, Hakan; Yazar, Metin; Sari, Gulce; Tanrikulu, Hazel; Pamuk, Gulsum Emel

2016-12-01

There is significant autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma (SSc); microchimerism is also thought to play a role in pathogenesis. We determined the frequency of anti-HLA antibodies in SLE and SSc patients and evaluated associated clinical factors. We included 77 SLE patients, 46 SSc patients and 53 healthy controls into the study. Clinical data about the patients were obtained from hospital records. Anti-human leukocyte (anti-HLA) antigen antibody analysis of sera was performed by applying Lifecodes anti-HLA Class I and Class II Screening kits based on xMAP technology. The frequencies of class I and II anti-HLA antibodies were significantly higher in SLE (27.3% and 41.6%) and SSc (26.1% and 41.3%) groups than in healthy controls (1.9% and 5.7%) (all P < 0.001). Frequencies of thrombocytopenia (P = 0.021), anti-ribonucleoprotein (P = 0.037) and anti-Ro (P = 0.027) were significantly higher in the class I antibody-positive SLE group; however, pericarditis was less frequent (P = 0.05). On the other hand, the class II antibody-positive SLE group had more frequent anti-ribosomal P antibody (P = 0.038), but less frequent active disease (P = 0.038). In the SSc group, class I antibody-positive patients had more frequent digital ulcers (P = 0.048) and anti-centromere antibodies (P = 0.01). There was no association of anti-HLA antibodies with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial fibrosis in SSc patients. Both class I and class II antibodies were found to be significantly increased in SLE and SSc. Rather than major organ involvement, anti-HLA antibodies were associated with the presence of other antibodies in both diseases. © 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Turning the Waiting Room into a Classroom: Weekly Classes Using a Vegan or a Portion-Controlled Eating Plan Improve Diabetes Control in a Randomized Translational Study.

PubMed

Barnard, Neal D; Levin, Susan M; Gloede, Lise; Flores, Rosendo

2018-06-01

In research settings, plant-based (vegan) eating plans improve diabetes management, typically reducing weight, glycemia, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations to a greater extent than has been shown with portion-controlled eating plans. The study aimed to test whether similar benefits could be found using weekly nutrition classes in a typical endocrinology practice, hypothesizing that a vegan eating plan would improve glycemic control, weight, lipid concentrations, blood pressure, and renal function and would do so more effectively than a portion-controlled eating plan. In a 20-week trial, participants were randomly assigned to a low-fat vegan or portion-controlled eating plan. Individuals with type 2 diabetes treated in a single endocrinology practice in Washington, DC, participated (45 starters, 40 completers). Participants attended weekly after-hours classes in the office waiting room. The vegan plan excluded animal products and added oils and favored low-glycemic index foods. The portion-controlled plan included energy intake limits for weight loss (typically a deficit of 500 calories/day) and provided guidance on portion sizes. Body weight, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), plasma lipids, urinary albumin, and blood pressure were measured. For normally distributed data, t tests were used; for skewed outcomes, rank-based approaches were implemented (Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group changes, Wilcoxon two-sample test for between-group comparisons, and exact Hodges-Lehmann estimation to estimate effect sizes). Although participants were in generally good metabolic control at baseline, body weight, HbA1c, and LDL cholesterol improved significantly within each group, with no significant differences between the two eating plans (weight: -6.3 kg vegan, -4.4 kg portion-controlled, between-group P=0.10; HbA1c, -0.40 percentage point in both groups, P=0.68; LDL cholesterol -11.9 mg/dL vegan, -12.7 mg/dL portion-controlled, P=0.89). Mean urinary albumin was normal at baseline and did not meaningfully change. Blood pressure changes were not significant. Weekly classes, integrated into a clinical practice and using either a low-fat vegan or portion-controlled eating plan, led to clinical improvements in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2018 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Surveillance to Intervention: Overview and Baseline Findings for the Active City of Liverpool Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project

PubMed Central

McWhannell, Nicola; Henaghan, Jayne L.

2018-01-01

This paper outlines the implementation of a programme of work that started with the development of a population-level children’s health, fitness and lifestyle study in 1996 (SportsLinx) leading to selected interventions one of which is described in detail: the Active City of Liverpool, Active Schools and SportsLinx (A-CLASS) Project. The A-CLASS Project aimed to quantify the effectiveness of structured and unstructured physical activity (PA) programmes on children’s PA, fitness, body composition, bone health, cardiac and vascular structures, fundamental movement skills, physical self-perception and self-esteem. The study was a four-arm parallel-group school-based cluster randomised controlled trial (clinical trials no. NCT02963805), and compared different exposure groups: a high intensity PA (HIPA) group, a fundamental movement skill (FMS) group, a PA signposting (PASS) group and a control group, in a two-schools-per-condition design. Baseline findings indicate that children’s fundamental movement skill competence levels are low-to-moderate, yet these skills are inversely associated with percentage body fat. Outcomes of this project will make an important contribution to the design and implementation of children’s PA promotion initiatives.

Vertical and Horizontal Jump Capacity in International Cerebral Palsy Football Players.

PubMed

Reina, Raúl; Iturricastillo, Aitor; Sabido, Rafael; Campayo-Piernas, Maria; Yanci, Javier

2018-05-01

To evaluate the reliability and validity of vertical and horizontal jump tests in football players with cerebral palsy (FPCP) and to analyze the jump performance differences between current International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football functional classes (ie, FT5-FT8). A total of 132 international parafootballers (25.8 [6.7] y; 70.0 [9.1] kg; 175.7 [7.3] cm; 22.8 [2.8] kg·m -2 ; and 10.7 [7.5] y training experience) participated in the study. The participants were classified according to the International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football classification rules, and a group of 39 players without cerebral palsy was included in the study as a control group. Football players' vertical and horizontal jump performance was assessed. All the tests showed good to excellent relative intrasession reliability scores, both in FPCP and in the control group (intraclass correlation = .78-.97, SEM < 10.5%). Significant between-groups differences (P < .001) were obtained in the countermovement jump, standing broad jump, 4 bounds for distance, and triple hop for distance dominant leg and nondominant leg. The control group performed higher/farther jumps with regard to all the FPCP classes, obtaining significant differences and moderate to large effect sizes (ESs) (.85 < ES < 5.54, P < .01). Players in FT8 class (less severe impairments) had significantly higher scores in all the jump tests than players in the lower classes (ES = moderate to large, P < .01). The vertical and horizontal jump tests performed in this study could be applied to the classification procedures and protocols for FPCP.

One year treatment effects of the eruption guidance appliance in 7- to 8-year-old children: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Myrlund, Rita; Dubland, Mari; Keski-Nisula, Katri; Kerosuo, Heidi

2015-04-01

The eruption guidance appliance (EGA) aims to correct sagittal and vertical occlusal relations concomitantly with alignment of the incisors. Few reports have been published on treatment effects with the EGA but no randomized studies have been available. The aim was to find out if 1 year active treatment time with EGA was sufficient for achieving normal occlusal relationships and dental alignment in 7- to 8-year-old children. Eligibility criteria for participants were: fully erupted upper central incisors, and Angle's Class I or Class II molar relationship combined with any of the following traits: deep bite, increased overjet ≥5mm, moderate anterior crowding with overjet ≥4mm. After screening of 148 children, 48 7- to 8-year-old children were recruited in the study. The participants were randomly assigned into a treatment group (N = 25) and a control group (N = 23). Children in the treatment group received treatment with the EGA for 1 year. The controls had no orthodontic treatment. Changes in overjet, overbite, Angle's Class, and crowding were used as primary outcome measures. Occlusal assessments were performed on dental casts obtained from all subjects at start of the study (T1) and after 1 year (T2). Lateral cephalograms were obtained from all subjects at T1 and from the treatment group at T2. All measurements on dental casts and cephalograms were carried out blinded. Forty-six children completed the study. Mean overjet and overbite decreased significantly in the treated subjects during 1 year, in contrast to a slight increase in the controls. Class II molar relationship decreased from 46 to 4 per cent in the treatment group, with no significant change in the control group. Mandibular anterior crowding decreased significantly in the treated subjects, while the controls showed a slight increase. In short term, the EGA seems to be effective in correcting increased overjet and overbite, Class II malocclusion, and lower anterior crowding in the early mixed dentition. Follow-up data are needed to assess long-term effects of this treatment. This study was not registered. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

[Cephalometric analysis in individuals with Class II/2 malocclusions].

PubMed

Rak, D

1990-06-01

Various orthodontic anomalies class II/2, classified into several experimental groups, and eugnathic occlusion serving as controls, were studied by roentgencephalometry. The objective of the study was to detect possible distinctions in the quantitative values of the chosen variables and to select those which discriminate the group of class II/2 orthodontic anomalies most significantly. Attempts were made to ascertain whether or not there were sex-related differences. The teleroentgenograma of 241 examines, aged 10 to 18 years, of both sexes, were analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 61 examinees class II/2 orthodontic anomalies. The control group consisted of 180 examinees with eugnathic occlusion. Latero-lateral skull roentgenograms were taken according to the rules of roentgencephalometry. Using acetate paper, the drawings of profile teleroentgenograms were elaborated and the reference points and lineas were entered. A total of 38 variables were analyzed, of which 10 were linear, 19 angular, 8 variables were obtained by mathematical calculations, and the age variable was also analyzed. For statistical analyses and electronic computer was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs. The results obtained have shown: that, when compared to the findings in the control group, the subjects in the experimental groups manifested significant changes in the following craniofacial characteristics: retroposition and retroinclination of the upper incisors; increased difference of the position of the apical basis of the jaw; marked convexity of the osseous profile; mandibular retrognathism and increased proportion of the maxillary compared to mandibular base; that, with regard to the sex of the examines, only linear variables of significantly discriminating character were selected. Thus it could be concluded that there were no significant sex differences among the morphological characteristics of the viscerocranium.

[Cephalometric analysis in cases with Class III malocclusions].

PubMed

Rak, D

1989-01-01

Various orthodontic class III anomalies, classified into several experimental groups, and eugnathic occlusions serving as controls were studied by roentgencephalometry. The objective of the study was to detect possible distinctions in the quantitative values of two variables chosen and to select the variables which most significantly discriminate the group of class III orthodontic anomalies. Attempts were made to ascertain whether or not there were sex-related differences. The teleroentgenograms of 269 examines, aged 10-18 years, of both sexes were analyzed. The experimental group consisted of 89 examinees class III orthodontic anomalies. The control group consisted of 180 examines with eugnathic occlusion. Latero-lateral skull roentgenograms were taken observing the rules of roentgenocephalometry. Using acetate paper, the drawings of profile teleroentgenograms were elaborated and the reference points and lines were entered. A total of 38 variables were analyzed, of which there were 10 linear, 19 angular, and 8 variables were obtained by mathematical calculation; the age variable was also analyzed. In statistical analyses an electronic computer was used. The results are presented in tables and graphs. The results obtained showed that: --compared to the findings in the control group, the subjects in the experimental group displayed significant changes in the following craniofacial characteristics a negative difference in the position of the apical base of the jaw, manifest concavity of the osseous profile and diminished convexity of the profile of soft parts, retroinclination of the lower incisors, mandibular prognathism, increased mandibular angle and increased mandibular proportion compared to maxillary and the anterior cranial base; --with regard to the sex of the examinees, only four linear variables of significantly discriminating character were selected, so that in can be concluded that there were no significant sex differences among the morphological characteristics of the viscerocranium.

Latino Families, Primary Care, and Childhood Obesity

PubMed Central

Arauz Boudreau, Alexy D.; Kurowski, Daniel S.; Gonzalez, Wanda I.; Dimond, Melissa A.; Oreskovic, Nicolas M.

2017-01-01

Background Few successful treatment modalities exist to address childhood obesity. Given Latinos’ strong identity with family, a family-focused intervention may be able to control Latino childhood obesity. Purpose To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a family-centered, primary care–based approach to control childhood obesity through lifestyle choices. Design Randomized waitlist controlled trial in which control participants received the intervention 6 months after the intervention group. Setting/participants Forty-one Latino children with BMI >85%, aged 9–12 years, and their caregivers were recruited from an urban community health center located in a predominantly low-income community. Intervention Children and their caregivers received 6 weeks of interactive group classes followed by 6 months of culturally sensitive monthly in-person or phone coaching to empower families to incorporate learned lifestyles and to address both family and social barriers to making changes. Main outcomes measures Caregiver report on child and child self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL); metabolic markers of obesity; BMI; and accelerometer-based physical activity were measured July 2010–November 2011 and compared with post-intervention assessments conducted at 6 months and as a function of condition assignment. Data were analyzed in 2012. Results Average attendance rate to each group class was 79%. Socio-environmental and family factors, along with knowledge, were cited as barriers to changing lifestyles to control obesity. Caregiver-proxy and child-self-reported HRQoL improved for both groups with a larger but not nonsignificant difference among intervention vs control group children (p=0.33). No differences were found between intervention and control children for metabolic markers of obesity, BMI, or physical activity. Conclusions Latino families are willing to participate in group classes and health coaching to control childhood obesity. It may be necessary for primary care to partner with community initiatives to address childhood obesity in a more intense manner. Trial registration This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.partners.org 2009P001721. PMID:23415190

Partially Nested Randomized Controlled Trials in Education Research: A Guide to Design and Analysis. NCER 2014-2000

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lohr, Sharon; Schochet, Peter Z.; Sanders, Elizabeth

2014-01-01

Suppose an education researcher wants to test the impact of a high school drop-out prevention intervention in which at-risk students attend classes to receive intensive summer school instruction. The district will allow the researcher to randomly assign students to the treatment classes or to the control group. Half of the students (the treatment…

Telephone-Based Coaching.

PubMed

Boccio, Mindy; Sanna, Rashel S; Adams, Sara R; Goler, Nancy C; Brown, Susan D; Neugebauer, Romain S; Ferrara, Assiamira; Wiley, Deanne M; Bellamy, David J; Schmittdiel, Julie A

2017-03-01

Many Americans continue to smoke, increasing their risk of disease and premature death. Both telephone-based counseling and in-person tobacco cessation classes may improve access for smokers seeking convenient support to quit. Little research has assessed whether such programs are effective in real-world clinical populations. Retrospective cohort study comparing wellness coaching participants with two groups of controls. Kaiser Permanente Northern California, a large integrated health care delivery system. Two hundred forty-one patients who participated in telephonic tobacco cessation coaching from January 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012, and two control groups: propensity-score-matched controls, and controls who participated in a tobacco cessation class during the same period. Wellness coaching participants received an average of two motivational interviewing-based coaching sessions that engaged the patient, evoked their reason to consider quitting, and helped them establish a quit plan. Self-reported quitting of tobacco and fills of tobacco cessation medications within 12 months of follow-up. Logistic regressions adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and primary language. After adjusting for confounders, tobacco quit rates were higher among coaching participants vs. matched controls (31% vs. 23%, p < .001) and comparable to those of class attendees (31% vs. 29%, p = .28). Coaching participants and class attendees filled tobacco-cessation prescriptions at a higher rate (47% for both) than matched controls (6%, p < .001). Telephonic wellness coaching was as effective as in-person classes and was associated with higher rates of quitting compared to no treatment. The telephonic modality may increase convenience and scalability for health care systems looking to reduce tobacco use and improve health.

Comparison of peer-tutoring learning model through problem-solving approach and traditional learning model on the cognitive ability of grade 10 students at SMKN 13 Bandung on the topic of Stoichiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayat, A. Z.; Wahyu, W.; Kurnia

2018-05-01

This study aims to find out the improvement of cognitive ability of students on the implementation of cooperative learning model of peer-tutoring by using problem-solving approach. The research method used is mix method of Sequential Explanatory strategy and pretest post-test non-equivalent control group design. The participants involved in this study were 68 grade 10 students of Vocational High School in Bandung that consisted of 34 samples of experimental class and 34 samples of control class. The instruments used include written test and questionnaires. The improvement of cognitive ability of students was calculated using the N- gain formula. Differences of two average scores were calculated using t-test at significant level of α = 0.05. The result of study shows that the improvement of cognitive ability in experimental class was significantly different compared to the improvement in the control class at significant level of α = 0.05. The improvement of cognitive ability in experimental class is higher than in control class.

The impact of problem solving strategy with online feedback on students’ conceptual understanding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratiwi, H. Y.; Winarko, W.; Ayu, H. D.

2018-04-01

The study aimed to determine the impact of the implementation of problem solving strategy with online feedback towards the students’ concept understanding. This study used quasi experimental design with post-test only control design. The participants were all Physics Education students of Kanjuruhan University year 2015. Then, they were divided into two different groups; 30 students belong to experiment class and the remaining 30 students belong to class of control. The students’ concept understanding was measured by the concept understanding test on multiple integral lesson. The result of the concept understanding test was analyzed by prerequisite test and stated to be normal and homogenic distributed, then the hypothesis was examined by T-test. The result of the study shows that there is difference in the concept understanding between experiment class and control class. Next, the result also shows that the students’ concept understanding which was taught using problem solving strategy with online feedback was higher than those using conventional learning; with average score of 72,10 for experiment class and 52,27 for control class.

Internet Program for Physical Activity and Exercise Capacity in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Armbrust, Wineke; Bos, G J F Joyce; Wulffraat, Nico M; van Brussel, Marco; Cappon, Jeannette; Dijkstra, Pieter U; Geertzen, Jan H B; Legger, G Elizabeth; van Rossum, Marion A J; Sauer, Pieter J J; Lelieveld, Otto T H M

2017-07-01

To determine the effects of Rheumates@Work, an internet-based program supplemented with 4 group sessions, aimed at improving physical activity, exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and participation in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Patients were recruited from 3 pediatric rheumatology centers in The Netherlands for an observer-blinded, randomized controlled multicenter trial. Physical activity level, time spent in rest, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were recorded in a diary and with an accelerometer, before intervention, after intervention, and at followup after 3 and 12 months (intervention group only). Exercise capacity was assessed using the Bruce treadmill protocol, HRQoL was assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory generic core scale, and participation in school and in physical education classes were assessed by questionnaire. The intervention group consisted of 28 children, and there were 21 children in the control group. MVPA , exercise capacity, and participating in school and physical education classes improved significantly in the intervention group. HRQoL improved in the control group. No significant differences were found between groups. The effect of Rheumates@Work on physical activity and exercise capacity lasted during the 12 months of followup. Improvements in physical activity were significantly better for the cohort starting in winter compared to the summer cohort. Rheumates@Work had a positive, albeit small, effect on physical activity, exercise capacity, and participation in school and physical education class in the intervention group. Improvements lasted for 12 months. Participants who started in winter showed the most improvement. Rheumates@Work had no effect on HRQoL. © 2016, American College of Rheumatology.

The influence of the guided constructivist instructional model on attitudes toward secondary-level physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dallal, Kamel Salim

The effect of guided constructivism (bridging analogies) and expository instructional methods on the attitudes of students toward physics was investigated. A nonrandomize nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group quasi- experimental design was employed. The sample consisted of 127 eleventh-grade and twelfth-grade students from five selected classes from two private high schools in Beirut, Lebanon. Two intact classes were assigned to the control group and three classes to the experimental group. The experimental group was exposed to the bridging analogies instructional method, and the control group was taught using the traditional expository method. A Likert-type instrument, the Physics Attitude Index, was used to measure attitudes on four dimensions. The 40-item Physics Attitude Index (PAI) is a questionnaire using a five response scale. Performance in the assigned topics in physics, cognitive developmental levels, and gender were used as covariants and to examine interaction effects. The experimental groups had significantly higher means than the control groups on all criterion variables. A significant interaction was found between groups and performance levels in the following cases: (a) criterion variable of attitude toward physics; (b) views toward physics learning; and (c) enjoyment of physics. This result indicated that the low performing students among the experimental group had greater gain in attitude toward physics than the high performing students in same group. On the other hand, no interaction occurred between treatment groups and gender, which shows that in this study gender has no significant effect on attitude toward physics. Significant interactions between the treatment groups and cognitive levels were found on the criterion variable of beliefs about physics as a process of learning and enjoyment of physics. In both cases, the difference between the group means were widely different among students at the concrete and transitional levels, but narrowly different among students at the formal level.

A cluster randomized-controlled trial of a classroom-based drama workshop program to improve mental health outcomes among immigrant and refugee youth in special classes.

PubMed

Rousseau, Cécile; Beauregard, Caroline; Daignault, Katherine; Petrakos, Harriet; Thombs, Brett D; Steele, Russell; Vasiliadis, Helen-Maria; Hechtman, Lily

2014-01-01

The aim of this cluster randomized trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based theatre intervention program for immigrant and refugee youth in special classes for improving mental health and academic outcomes. The primary hypothesis was that students in the theatre intervention group would report a greater reduction in impairment from symptoms compared to students in the control and tutoring groups. Special classrooms in five multiethnic high schools were randomly assigned to theater intervention (n = 10), tutoring (n = 10) or control status (n = 9), for a total of 477 participants. Students and teachers were non-blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was impairment from emotional and behavioural symptoms assessed by the Impact Supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by the adolescents. The secondary outcomes were the SDQ global scores (teacher and youth reports), impairment assessed by teachers and school performance. The effect of the interventions was assessed through linear mixed effect models which incorporate the correlation between students in the same class, due to the nature of the randomization of the interventions by classroom. The theatre intervention was not associated with a greater reduction in self-reported impairment and symptoms in youth placed in special class because of learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties than a tutoring intervention or a non-active control group. The estimates of the different models show a non-significant decrease in both self-reported and impairment scores in the theatre intervention group for the overall group, but the impairment score decreased significantly for first generation adolescents while it increased for second generation adolescents. The difference between the population of immigrant and refugee youth newcomers studied previously and the sample of this trial may explain some of the differences in the observed impact of the theatre intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01426451.

A Cluster Randomized-Controlled Trial of a Classroom-Based Drama Workshop Program to Improve Mental Health Outcomes among Immigrant and Refugee Youth in Special Classes

PubMed Central

Rousseau, Cécile; Beauregard, Caroline; Daignault, Katherine; Petrakos, Harriet; Thombs, Brett D.; Steele, Russell; Vasiliadis, Helen-Maria; Hechtman, Lily

2014-01-01

Objectives The aim of this cluster randomized trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based theatre intervention program for immigrant and refugee youth in special classes for improving mental health and academic outcomes. The primary hypothesis was that students in the theatre intervention group would report a greater reduction in impairment from symptoms compared to students in the control and tutoring groups. Methods Special classrooms in five multiethnic high schools were randomly assigned to theater intervention (n = 10), tutoring (n = 10) or control status (n = 9), for a total of 477 participants. Students and teachers were non-blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was impairment from emotional and behavioural symptoms assessed by the Impact Supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by the adolescents. The secondary outcomes were the SDQ global scores (teacher and youth reports), impairment assessed by teachers and school performance. The effect of the interventions was assessed through linear mixed effect models which incorporate the correlation between students in the same class, due to the nature of the randomization of the interventions by classroom. Results The theatre intervention was not associated with a greater reduction in self-reported impairment and symptoms in youth placed in special class because of learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties than a tutoring intervention or a non-active control group. The estimates of the different models show a non-significant decrease in both self-reported and impairment scores in the theatre intervention group for the overall group, but the impairment score decreased significantly for first generation adolescents while it increased for second generation adolescents. Conclusion The difference between the population of immigrant and refugee youth newcomers studied previously and the sample of this trial may explain some of the differences in the observed impact of the theatre intervention. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01426451 PMID:25127251

Dietary and exercise change following acute cardiac syndrome onset: A latent class growth modelling analysis.

PubMed

Bennett, Paul; Gruszczynska, Ewa; Marke, Victoria

2016-10-01

The present study aim determine sub-group trajectories of change on measures of diet and exercise following acute coronary syndrome. 150 participants were assessed in hospital, 1 month and 6 months subsequently on measures including physical activity, diet, illness beliefs, coping and mood. Change trajectories were measured using latent class growth modelling. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict class membership. These analyses revealed changes in exercise were confined to a sub-group of participants already reporting relatively high exercise levels; those eating less healthily evidenced modest dietary improvements. Coping, gender, depression and perceived control predicted group membership to a modest degree. © The Author(s) 2015.

Comparative evaluation of different periods of enamel microabrasion on the microleakage of class V resin-modified glass ionomer and compomer restorations: An In vitro study.

PubMed

Bansal, Disha; Mahajan, Mrinalini

2017-01-01

The design of the class V cavity presents a clinical challenge in the field of adhesive dentistry as the margin placement is partially in enamel and partly in dentin, and the trouble associated with this design is the microleakage at the dentinal margin. When these restorations undergo microabrasion due to cosmetic reasons, this trouble aggravates to the significant levels. The aim of this study was the measurement of microleakage of class V glass ionomer restorations over two different periods of enamel microabrasion. This in vitro experimental study was conducted on 120 class V cavities which had been prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 60 sound human premolars. One-half of the cavities were restored with the resin-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) (60 cavities) and another half with the compomer (60 cavities). Finishing and polishing were performed. Then, the teeth were classified into six groups (n = 20). Microabrasion treatment was performed with Opaluster (Ultradent Product Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA) for 0 (control no treatment), 60 and 120 s. Then, teeth were thermocycled between 5°C and 55°C, immersed in rhodamine B solution (24 h), and sectioned longitudinally in buccolingual direction. Dye penetration was examined with stereomicroscope (×10). Microleakage scores were statistically analyzed. The mean occlusal margin scores and gingival margin scores were compared between all the groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and post hoc comparison. There was a significant difference between Group 1a, Group 2a, Group 1b, Group 2b, Group 1c, and Group 2c. Statistical analysis used in this study was Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and post hoc comparison. The least microleakage scores were observed in occlusal margins of control groups (without microabrasion). Moreover, in both restorations, the microleakage scores in occlusal margins were higher than gingival margins, and compoglass had less microleakage in occlusal and occlusal plus axial walls of class V cavities compared with resin-modified GIC. Whereas, the light-cured glass ionomer had less microleakage in the gingival and gingival plus axial walls of class V cavities when compared with compoglass. The least microleakage scores were observed in occlusal margins of control groups (without microabrasion). Moreover, in both restorations, the microleakage scores in occlusal margins were higher than gingival margins.

DRUM-PD: The use of a drum circle to improve the symptoms and signs of Parkinson's disease (PD)

PubMed Central

Pantelyat, Alexander; Syres, Candace; Reichwein, Suzanne; Willis, Allison

2015-01-01

Background Physical therapy can improve motor function in patients with PD. Music performance may be used to improve motor skills by rhythmic entrainment. Drumming has long been a part of traditional healing rituals worldwide, and is increasingly being utilized as a therapeutic strategy. Methods This pilot controlled prospective cohort trial assessed feasibility and effects of twice-weekly group West African drum circle classes for 6 weeks on PD patients’ quality of life, symptoms, motor findings, cognition, and mood. Ten patients with PD were recruited into the drum circle group. Ten patients with PD were matched pairwise to each of the drum circle participants, and enrolled in a no-intervention control group. Both groups completed the PD-specific Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)-39 quality of life assessment and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and underwent motor and cognitive assessments by a rater blinded to group at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results Drummers had significantly improved PDQ-39 scores from baseline to 6 weeks (−5.8, p=0.042), whereas the control group's scores were unchanged. Walking performance was significantly faster at baseline for controls; after 6 weeks of drumming this difference was no longer significant, and remained non-significant at 12 weeks. The drummers trended (p=0.069) toward improvement in walking from baseline to 12 weeks. Other outcomes did not significantly change from baseline to 6 or 12 weeks. Conclusions Drum circle classes significantly and reversibly improved quality of life in patients with PD. This pilot trial's findings merit larger controlled investigations comparing drumming classes to established interventions in PD, such as physical therapy. PMID:27340683

Influence of Problem Based Learning on Critical Thinking Skills and Competence Class VIII SMPN 1 Gunuang Omeh, 2016/2017

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aswan, D. M.; Lufri, L.; Sumarmin, R.

2018-04-01

This research intends to determine the effect of Problem Based Learning models on students' critical thinking skills and competences. This study was a quasi-experimental research. The population of the study was the students of class VIII SMPN 1 Subdistrict Gunuang Omeh. Random sample selection is done by randomizing the class. Sample class that was chosen VIII3 as an experimental class given that treatment study based on problems and class VIII1 as control class that treatment usually given study. Instrument that used to consist of critical thinking test, cognitive tests, observation sheet of affective and psychomotor. Independent t-test and Mann Whitney U test was used for the analysis. Results showed that there was significant difference (sig <0.05) between control and experimental group. The conclusion of this study was Problem Based Learning models affected the students’ critical thinking skills and competences.

The effects of training group exercise class instructors to adopt a motivationally adaptive communication style.

PubMed

Ntoumanis, N; Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C; Quested, E; Hancox, J

2017-09-01

Drawing from self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2002), we developed and tested an intervention to train fitness instructors to adopt a motivationally adaptive communication style when interacting with exercisers. This was a parallel group, two-arm quasi-experimental design. Participants in the intervention arm were 29 indoor cycling instructors (n = 10 for the control arm) and 246 class members (n = 75 for the control arm). The intervention consisted of face-to-face workshops, education/information video clips, group discussions and activities, brainstorming, individual planning, and practical tasks in the cycling studio. Instructors and exercisers responded to validated questionnaires about instructors' use of motivational strategies and other motivation-related variables before the first workshop and at the end of the third and final workshop (4 months later). Time × arm interactions revealed no significant effects, possibly due to the large attrition of instructors and exercisers in the control arm. Within-group analyses in the intervention arm showed that exercisers' perceptions of instructor motivationally adaptive strategies, psychological need satisfaction, and intentions to remain in the class increased over time. Similarly, instructors in the intervention arm reported being less controlling and experiencing more need satisfaction over time. These results offer initial promising evidence for the positive impact of the training. © 2016 The Authors Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Audiovestibular Handicap and Quality of Life in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma and "Excellent" Hearing.

PubMed

Tveiten, Oystein Vesterli; Carlson, Matthew L; Link, Michael J; Lund-Johansen, Morten

2017-03-01

Studies examining patient-reported outcomes in subjects with vestibular schwannoma (VS) and "excellent" hearing are lacking. To assess patient-reported audiovestibular handicap and overall quality of life (QoL) in VS patients with class A hearing in both ears. Among 539 VS patients treated during 1998 to 2008, we identified 296 patients with either bilateral class A (AA) hearing or 1 good ear and 1 deaf ear (AD) according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification. Patients responded to validated hearing, tinnitus, and dizziness handicap inventories and 2 QoL questionnaires, and the 2 groups were compared. A reference group of 103 adults filled out the same questionnaires. Forty-nine patients (16.6%) had class AA and 247 patients (83.4%) had class AD hearing. AA patients scored poorer than control subjects without tumor on all handicap questionnaires ( P < .001) and a VS-specific QoL instrument ( P = .006). Con-versely, AA patients scored significantly better than patients with AD on the hearing inventory and the disease-specific QoL instrument ( P < .001), but no difference was found between these groups with regard to tinnitus and dizziness. The hearing disability score was approximately 3 times poorer for AA patients compared with control subjects without tumor; a third of AA patients reported a hearing handicap. Patients with VS and bilateral class A hearing report significantly poorer hearing handicap than control subjects without tumor but better hearing than those with unilateral deafness. When patients with bilateral class A hearing are counseled, it should be noted that one-third of patients experience self-perceived hearing handicap. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Age, occupational class and sickness absence during pregnancy: a retrospective analysis study of the Norwegian population registry

PubMed Central

Ariansen, Anja M S

2014-01-01

Objective Western women increasingly delay having children to advance their career, and pregnancy is considered to be riskier among older women. In Norway, this development surprisingly coincides with increased sickness absence among young pregnant women, rather than their older counterparts. This paper tests the hypothesis that young pregnant women have a higher number of sick days because this age group includes a higher proportion of working class women, who are more prone to sickness absence. Design A zero-inflated Poisson regression was conducted on the Norwegian population registry. Participants All pregnant employees giving birth in 2004–2008 were included in the study. A total number of 216 541 pregnancies were observed among 180 483 women. Outcome measure Number of sick days. Results Although the association between age and number of sick days was U-shaped, pregnant women in their early 20s had a higher number of sick days than those in their mid-40s. This was particularly the case for pregnant women with previous births. In this group, 20-year-olds had 12.6 more sick days than 45-year-olds; this age difference was reduced to 6.3 after control for class. Among women undergoing their first pregnancy, 20-year-olds initially had 1.2 more sick days than 45-year-olds, but control for class altered this age difference. After control for class, 45-year-old first-time pregnant women had 2.9 more sick days than 20-year-olds with corresponding characteristics. Conclusions The negative association between age and sickness absence was partly due to younger age groups including more working class women, who were more prone to sickness absence. Young pregnant women's needs for job adjustments should not be underestimated. PMID:24793246

Qigong or Yoga Versus No Intervention in Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Teut, Michael; Knilli, Judith; Daus, Dorothea; Roll, Stephanie; Witt, Claudia M

2016-07-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the reduction of chronic lower back pain in older adults using either yoga classes or qigong classes compared with no intervention. Older adults (65 years of age and older) with chronic low back pain were enrolled in and randomly allocated to: 1) yoga (24 classes, 45 minutes each, during 3 months), 2) qigong (12 classes, 90 minutes each, during 3 months), or 3) a control group who received no additional intervention. The pain intensity item of the Functional Rating Index after 3 months was used as primary outcome parameter. A total of 176 patients were randomized (n = 61 yoga, n = 58 qigong, n = 57 control; mean age 73 ± 5.6 years, 89% female). The mean adjusted pain intensity after 3 months was 1.71 for the yoga group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54-1.89), 1.67 for the qigong group (95% CI, 1.45-1.89), and 1.89 for no intervention (95% CI, 1.67-2.11). No statistically significant group differences were observed. Possible explanations for this lack of pain relief might include the ineffectiveness of interventions, inappropriate outcomes, or differences in pain perception and processing in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the reduction of chronic lower back pain in older adults using either yoga classes or qigong classes compared with no intervention. This 3-armed randomized trial with 176 older adults showed that yoga and qigong were not superior to no treatment in reducing pain and increasing quality of life. Copyright © 2016 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perceived facial changes of Class II Division 1 patients with convex profiles after functional orthopedic treatment followed by fixed orthodontic appliances.

PubMed

Tsiouli, Kleopatra; Topouzelis, Nikolaos; Papadopoulos, Moschos A; Gkantidis, Nikolaos

2017-07-01

The aim of this research was to investigate the perceived facial changes in Class II Division 1 patients with convex profiles after functional orthopedic treatment followed by fixed orthodontic appliances. Pretreatment and posttreatment profile photographs of 12 Class II Division 1 patients treated with activators, 12 Class II Division 1 patients treated with Twin-block appliances, and 12 controls with normal profiles treated without functional appliances were presented in pairs to 10 orthodontists, 10 patients, 10 parents, and 10 laypersons. The raters assessed changes in facial appearance on a visual analog scale. Two-way multivariate analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences among group ratings. Intrarater reliability was strong in most cases (intraclass correlation coefficients, >0.7). The internal consistency of the assessments was high (alpha, >0.87), both within and between groups. The raters consistently perceived more positive changes in the Class II Division 1 groups compared with the control group. However, this difference hardly exceeded 1/10th of the total visual analog scale length in its highest value and was mostly evident in the lower face and chin. No significant differences were found between the activator and the Twin-block groups. Although the raters perceived improvements of the facial profiles after functional orthopedic treatment followed by fixed orthodontic appliances, these were quite limited. Thus, orthodontists should be tentative when predicting significant improvement of a patient's profile with this treatment option. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning styles: The learning methods of air traffic control students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jackson, Dontae L.

In the world of aviation, air traffic controllers are an integral part in the overall level of safety that is provided. With a number of controllers reaching retirement age, the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) was created to provide a stronger candidate pool. However, AT-CTI Instructors have found that a number of AT-CTI students are unable to memorize types of aircraft effectively. This study focused on the basic learning styles (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic) of students and created a teaching method to try to increase memorization in AT-CTI students. The participants were asked to take a questionnaire to determine their learning style. Upon knowing their learning styles, participants attended two classroom sessions. The participants were given a presentation in the first class, and divided into a control and experimental group for the second class. The control group was given the same presentation from the first classroom session while the experimental group had a group discussion and utilized Middle Tennessee State University's Air Traffic Control simulator to learn the aircraft types. Participants took a quiz and filled out a survey, which tested the new teaching method. An appropriate statistical analysis was applied to determine if there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups. The results showed that even though the participants felt that the method increased their learning, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School.

PubMed

Gonçalves, Lia Lopes; Voos, Mariana Callil; de Almeida, Maria Helena Morgani; Caromano, Fátima Aparecida

2017-01-01

Aggressive behaviors must be addressed in elementary schools. Massage and storytelling can be strategies to deal with aggression because both involve experience exchange and social interaction. Both can decrease stress and anxiety and increase self-esteem. To evaluate the effect of two interventions (massage and storytelling) on aggressive behaviors and academic performance of elementary school children. Three groups ( n = 35 children in each group) of the second grade participated (aged 6.5-8.1 years). One group received ten extra classes of massage (MG), another group received extra classes of storytelling (SG), and the control group received extra classes of random subjects (CG). Extra classes lasted for 50 minutes, once a week. Aggressive behaviors were recorded on diaries, by the teachers and the coordinator. The frequency of aggressive behaviors and the academic performance of MG, SG, and CG were observed for six months and the groups were compared. ANOVAs evidenced that MG and SG, but not CG, showed a reduction in aggressive behaviors registered by the teachers and coordinator, after the intervention. Academic performance of MG and SC improved after the intervention ( p < 0.05).

Effect of Higher Order Thinking Laboratory on the Improvement of Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiawan, A.; Malik, A.; Suhandi, A.; Permanasari, A.

2018-02-01

This research was based on the need for improving critical and creative thinking skills of student in the 21 -st century. In this research, we have implemented HOT-Lab model for topic of force. The model was characterized by problem solving and higher order thinking development through real laboratory activities. This research used a quasy experiment method with pre-test post-test control group design. Samples of this research were 60 students of Physics Education Program of Teacher Educatuon Institution in Bandung. The samples were divided into 2 classes, experiment class (HOT-lab model) and control class (verification lab model). Research instruments were essay tests for creative and critical thinking skills measurements. The results revealed that both the models have improved student’s creative and critical thinking skills. However, the improvement of the experiment class was significantly higher than that of the control class, as indicated by the average of normalized gains (N-gain) for critical thinking skills of 60.18 and 29.30 and for creative thinking skills of 70.71 and 29.40, respectively for the experimental class and the control class. In addition, there is no significant correlation between the improvement of critical thinking skills and creative thinking skills in both the classes.

Mathematics Laboratories--More than Fun

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vance, James H.; Kieren, Thomas E.

1972-01-01

The study assessed the effectiveness of methematical laboratories as compared with the regular mathematics teaching program. A control group, mathematical laboratory group, and a third group called a Class Discovery Group were formed for making comparisons. Gains were higher on cumulative achievement, transfer, and divergent thinking measures for…

Effects of designed learning strategies to enhance biology students' understanding of the nature of science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reeves, Carolyn T.

This research attempted to test the effectiveness of strategies designed for teaching the nature of science to Biology I students and to examine the effects of frequency of use of the strategies. Some strategies were designed to identify misconceptions about the nature of science; others were designed to correct misconceptions or provide correct concepts about the nature of science. This research commenced during the 3rd week of the 2001--2002 school year after obtaining IRB approval and permissions from school officials. The study ended after the 15th week. All participating students were given a pretest and a posttest of the Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale Enhanced (NSKSE) test. Part I, 48 items, consisted of the NSKS test by Rubba & Anderson (1978). Part II, 10 items, consisted of a test constructed by the researcher. Part I contained questions about 6 tenets of the nature of science. Part II contained questions about how science works. The strategies were tested in two Biology I experimental classes, n = 41, and compared with two Biology I control classes, n = 34, by means of an analysis of covariance with the pretest scores used as the covariate. The overall mean posttest scores of the experimental and the control group were not found to be significantly different on either Part I, F(1,72) = 1.059, p = .307, or Part II, F(1,72) = 3.136, p = .081, of the test instrument. The number of times a strategy was used in each experimental classroom was determined. It was found that strategies were used almost twice as often in one classroom than in the other. A second set of ANCOVA analyses compared mean scores between Experimental Class A, Experimental Class B, and the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups on Part I, F(2,71) = .921, p = .403, but the difference between groups on Part II, F(2,71) = 5.769, p = .005, was significant. A post hoc Scheffe analysis showed that the class using strategies most often differed significantly with the control group, p = .009, but the other class did not, p = .929. This study suggests that frequent use of the designed strategies was effective in helping Biology I students understand some aspects of the nature of science. It also suggests that minimal use of the strategies was not effective.

Prediction/discussion-based learning cycle versus conceptual change text: comparative effects on students' understanding of genetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

khawaldeh, Salem A. Al

2013-07-01

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of a prediction/discussion-based learning cycle (HPD-LC), conceptual change text (CCT) and traditional instruction on 10th grade students' understanding of genetics concepts. Sample: Participants were 112 10th basic grade male students in three classes of the same school located in an urban area. The three classes taught by the same biology teacher were randomly assigned as a prediction/discussion-based learning cycle class (n = 39), conceptual change text class (n = 37) and traditional class (n = 36). Design and method: A quasi-experimental research design of pre-test-post-test non-equivalent control group was adopted. Participants completed the Genetics Concept Test as pre-test-post-test, to examine the effects of instructional strategies on their genetics understanding. Pre-test scores and Test of Logical Thinking scores were used as covariates. Results: The analysis of covariance showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the favor of experimental groups after treatment. However, no statistically significant difference between the experimental groups (HPD-LC versus CCT instruction) was found. Conclusions: Overall, the findings of this study support the use of the prediction/discussion-based learning cycle and conceptual change text in both research and teaching. The findings may be useful for improving classroom practices in teaching science concepts and for the development of suitable materials promoting students' understanding of science.

Student-generated illustrations and written narratives of biological science concepts: The effect on community college life science students' achievement in and attitudes toward science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, Robert Christopher

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two conceptually based instructional strategies on science achievement and attitudes of community college biological science students. The sample consisted of 277 students enrolled in General Biology 1, Microbiology, and Human Anatomy and Physiology 1. Control students were comprised of intact classes from the 2005 Spring semester; treatment students from the 2005 Fall semester were randomly assigned to one of two groups within each course: written narrative (WN) and illustration (IL). WN students prepared in-class written narratives related to cell theory and metabolism, which were taught in all three courses. IL students prepared in-class illustrations of the same concepts. Control students received traditional lecture/lab during the entire class period and neither wrote in-class descriptions nor prepared in-class illustrations of the targeted concepts. All groups were equivalent on age, gender, ethnicity, GPA, and number of college credits earned and were blinded to the study. All interventions occurred in class and no group received more attention or time to complete assignments. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) via multiple regression was the primary statistical strategy used to test the study's hypotheses. The model was valid and statistically significant. Independent follow-up univariate analyses relative to each dependent measure found that no research factor had a significant effect on attitude, but that course-teacher, group membership, and student academic characteristics had a significant effect (p < .05) on achievement: (1) Biology students scored significantly lower in achievement than A&P students; (2) Microbiology students scored significantly higher in achievement than Biology students; (3) Written Narrative students scored significantly higher in achievement than Control students; and (4) GPA had a significant effect on achievement. In addition, given p < .08: (1) Microbiology students averaged lower in achievement than A&P students; (2) Illustration students averaged higher in achievement than Control students; and (3) Written Narrative students averaged higher in achievement than Illustration students. Findings suggest that science achievement can be enhanced via student-generated illustrations and written narratives, these interventions had no effect on attitudes toward science, and the interventions benefited A&P students more than Microbiology and Biology students.

Dentoskeletal Effects of the Modified Tandem Appliance vs the Facemask Appliance in the Treatment of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion: A Single-center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Husson, Amro H; Burhan, Ahmad S; Salma, Fadwa B; Nawaya, Fehmieh R

2016-07-01

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of the modified tandem appliance (MTA) vs the facemask (FM) with rapid maxillary expansion. Thirty-two patients, aged 7 to 9 years were recruited. Eligibility criteria included skeletal class III malocclusion that resulted from the retrusion of the maxilla. Randomization was accomplished to divide the sample into two equal groups to be treated with either MTA or FM. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained before treatment and after 2 mm positive overjet was achieved. Intragroup comparisons were performed using paired-sample t-test, and intergroup comparisons were performed using two-sample t-test at the p ≤ 0.05 level. Thirty-two patients (16 in each group) were available for statistical analysis. The pretreatment variables of both groups were similar. Both treatment therapies showed similar significant increase in the SNA and ANB angles, accompanied by slight decrease in the SNB angle. The increase in the SN:GoMe angle, Bjork's sum, and the overjet were significantly greater in the FM group. The forward movement of upper dentition was similar in both groups. Although the lower incisors retrusion was significantly greater in the FM group than in the MTA group, the uprighting of the lower molars was significantly greater in the MTA group. Both appliances showed similar effects apart from less clockwise rotation of the mandible, less retrusion of the lower incisors, and greater uprighting of the lower molars in the MTA group. Both the MTA and the FM groups are effective in treating class III malocclusion. The MTA group is more efficient in controlling the clockwise rotation and gaining some space in the lower arch.

Student construction of small molecule models using Spartan Model to explore polarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dale, Glenn Lamar

2006-12-01

This study compared the attitudes and the gains of knowledge concerning Lewis structures and polarity of molecules. The students performed a lab exercise in which they drew Lewis structures, constructed models of the molecules, determined the geometry of the molecules, and determined the polarity of the molecules. The control group students constructed models using physical ball-and-stick models. The treatment group students used Spartan Model to construct models. Students from a university and a community college participated in this study. Four lab classes at each school made up the treatment group. Five lab classes at the university and three lab classes at the community college made up the control group. The treatment group classes were selected based on available computer resources. All students in the study were given the Lab Pre Test, Lab Post Test, and the Lecture Post Test to assess the student's ability to answer questions pertaining to Lewis structures and polarity of molecules. An Attitudinal Survey assessed the attitudes of the students who participated in the study. Student interviews were performed to assess the student's attitudes towards the lab exercise. The interviews investigated attitudes about the modeling exercise, Lewis structures, and polarity of molecules. There were no significant differences in the performance of the treatment group when compared to the control group on the performance assessment instruments at the university or the community college. The treatment group students at the university had a more positive attitude about the lab activity. They believed that the lab activity helped them better understand the concepts of Lewis structure and molecular polarity. At the community college, the control group students had a more positive attitude about the lab activity. The students involved in the study believed that the lab activity helped them to understand the concepts of molecular geometry and polarity. The interviews of the treatment group students indicated that they strongly believed that the lab activity helped them better understand the concept of Lewis structures and of molecular polarity. As reflected in the interviews of the treatment group and the control group, the lab activity did not help the students be able to look at a Lewis structure and build a mental image of the molecule. The students believed the electrostatic potential plots generated by Spartan Model were very insightful into the concept of polarity. It gave them a visual representation of a difficult topic.

The role of single immediate loading implant in long Class IV Kennedy mandibular partial denture.

PubMed

Mohamed, Gehan F; El Sawy, Amal A

2012-10-01

The treatment of long-span Kennedy class IV considers a prosthodontic challenge. This study evaluated the integrity of principle abutments in long Kennedy class IV clinically and radiographically, when rehabilitated with conventional metallic partial denture as a control group and mandibular partial overdentures supported with single immediately loaded implant in symphyseal as a study group. Twelve male patients were divided randomly allotted into two equal groups. First group patients received removable metallic partial denture, whereas in the second group, patients received partial overdentures supported with single immediately loaded implant in symphyseal region. The partial dentures design in both groups was the same. Long-cone paralleling technique and transmission densitometer were used at the time of denture insertion, 3, 6, and 12 months. Gingival index, bone loss, and optical density were measured for principle abutments during the follow-up. A significant reduction in bone loss and density were detected in group II comparing with group I. Gingival index had no significant change (p-value < 0.05). A single symphyseal implant in long span class IV Kennedy can play a pivotal role to improve the integrity of the principle abutments and alveolar bone support. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The PLUNGE randomized controlled trial: evaluation of a games-based physical activity professional learning program in primary school physical education.

PubMed

Miller, Andrew; Christensen, Erin M; Eather, Narelle; Sproule, John; Annis-Brown, Laura; Lubans, David Revalds

2015-05-01

To evaluate the efficacy of the Professional Learning for Understanding Games Education (PLUNGE) program on fundamental movement skills (FMS), in-class physical activity and perceived sporting competence. A cluster-randomized controlled trial involving one year six class each from seven primary schools (n=168; mean age=11.2 years, SD=1.0) in the Hunter Region, NSW, Australia. In September (2013) participants were randomized by school into the PLUNGE intervention (n=97 students) or the 7-week wait-list control (n=71) condition. PLUNGE involved the use of Game Centered curriculum delivered via an in-class teacher mentoring program. Students were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up for three object control FMS (Test of Gross Motor Development 2), in-class physical activity (pedometer steps/min) and perceived sporting competence (Self-perception Profile for Children). Linear mixed models revealed significant group-by-time intervention effects (all p<0.05) for object control competency (effect size: d=0.9), and in-class pedometer steps/min (d=1.0). No significant intervention effects (p>0.05) were observed for perceived sporting competence. The PLUNGE intervention simultaneously improved object control FMS proficiency and in-class PA in stage three students. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Randomized Phase II Trial of High-Dose Melatonin and Radiation Therapy for RPA Class 2 Patients With Brain Metastases (RTOG 0119)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berk, Lawrence; Berkey, Brian; Rich, Tyvin

Purpose: To determine if high-dose melatonin for Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) Class 2 patients with brain metastases improved survival over historical controls, and to determine if the time of day melatonin was given affected its toxicity or efficacy. RTOG 0119 was a phase II randomized trial for this group of patients. Methods and Materials: RTOG RPA Class 2 patients with brain metastases were randomized to 20 mg of melatonin, given either in the morning (8-9 AM) or in the evening (8-9 PM). All patients received radiation therapy (30 Gy in 10 fractions) in the afternoon.more » Melatonin was continued until neurologic deterioration or death. The primary endpoint was overall survival time. Neurologic deterioration, as reflected by the Mini-Mental Status Examination, was also measured. Results: Neither of the randomized groups had survival distributions that differed significantly from the historic controls of patients treated with whole-brain radiotherapy. The median survivals of the morning and evening melatonin treatments were 3.4 and 2.8 months, while the RTOG historical control survival was 4.1 months. Conclusions: High-dose melatonin did not show any beneficial effect in this group of patients.« less

Effect of three surface sealants on marginal sealing of Class V composite resin restorations.

PubMed

Ramos, R P; Chimello, D T; Chinelatti, M A; Dibb, R G; Mondelli, J

2000-01-01

This study evaluated in vitro the effectiveness of three different surface sealants (Fortify, Protect-it! and Optiguard) on the marginal sealing of Class V light-activated composite resin restorations (Prodigy). For this purpose, 20 sound noncarious human premolars extracted within a six-month period were selected. Class V cavities with the occlusal margin in enamel and cervical margin in cementum were prepared in both buccal and lingual surfaces. The teeth, randomly assigned in four groups with 10 cavities in each group, were restored with composite resin after applying an adhesive system (Optibond FL). After the finishing and polishing procedures, the restorations were covered with a specific surface sealant, except for the control samples, which were not sealed. After placing restorations, the specimens were thermocycled and immersed in a 50% silver nitrate solution (tracer agent) for eight hours, sectioned longitudinally and analyzed for leakage using an optical microscope in a blind study with three examiners. The marginal microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal and cervical interfaces and compared among the four groups using the Kruskall-Wallis and the Wilcoxon Tests. There was better sealing at the occlusal margin, and in this region, there were no statistically significant differences among the materials (p > 0.05). In the cervical region, Fortify and Protect-it! showed improved results over the Control Group, and Optiguard showed similar results to the Control Group (without sealing).

Association of human leukocyte antigen class II allele and haplotypes in chikungunya viral infection in a western Indian population.

PubMed

Thanapati, Subrat; Hande, Aparna; Das, Rumki; Gurav, Yogesh; Tripathy, Anuradha S

2014-05-01

Genes coding for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules are polymorphic and have been shown to influence susceptibility to viral diseases. One hundred patients with acute chikungunya with and without viral load and 250 chikungunya negative controls from western India were studied for the distribution of HLA class II alleles by PCR with sequence-specific primer (SSP) method. Frequency of DRB1*11 allele group (patients vs controls: p=0.002, Pc=0.036, OR=0.21) and haplotype DRB1*11/DQB1*03 (patients vs controls: p=0.007, OR=0.15) were significantly low, while haplotype DRB1*04/DQB1*03 (patients vs controls: p=0.042, OR=1.94) was significantly high in the patient population. HLA DQB1*04 allele was found only in the patient group with viral load (n=17), suggesting possible involvement of the same with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) replication. Association of HLA-DRB1*11 and the emergence of DRB1*11/DQB1*03 & DRB1*04/DQB1*03 as resistant and susceptible haplotypes towards CHIKV infection is being reported for the first time. Our results suggest that genetic susceptibility and/or resistance to chikungunya infection may be modulated by HLA class II alleles.

Treatment outcomes of Class II malocclusion cases treated with miniscrew-anchored Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Eissa, Osama; El-Shennawy, Mahmoud; Gaballah, Safaa; El-Meehy, Ghada; El Bialy, Tarek

2017-11-01

To evaluate the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) used with miniscrew anchorage and compare them with those of the conventional Forsus FRD. This study was carried out on 38 patients. These patients were randomly allocated into three groups. The 14 patients in group 1 (aged 12.76 ± 1.0 years) were treated with the FRD appliance. In group 2, the 15 patients (aged 12.52 ± 1.12 years) received treatment with FRD using miniscrew anchorage, and the 9 patients in group 3 (aged 12.82 ± 0.9 years) received no treatment as a control group. Linear and angular measurements were made on lateral cephalograms before and immediately after Forsus treatment. Data were analyzed statistically using paired t-, ANOVA, and Tukey tests. Class I molar relationship and overjet correction were achieved in both treatment groups. Although mandibular growth was statistically nonsignificant, there was a significant headgear effect on the maxilla. Mandibular incisor proclination, maxillary incisor retroclination, and distalization of maxillary molars were significant in both treatment groups. However, no significant differences were found between the treatment groups. Class II correction was mainly dentoalveolar in both treatment groups. Use of miniscrews with Forsus did not enhance mandibular forward growth nor prevent labial tipping of the mandibular incisors.

The Effects of a Concept Map-Based Information Display in an Electronic Portfolio System on Information Processing and Retention in a Fifth-Grade Science Class Covering the Earth's Atmosphere

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Paul; Olaciregui, Claudia

2008-01-01

An electronic portfolio system, designed to serve as a resource-based learning space, was tested in a fifth-grade science class. The control-group students accessed a traditional folder-based information display in the system and the experimental-group students accessed a concept map-based information display to review a science portfolio. The…

The Large Introductory Class as an Exercise in Organization Design.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wagner, John A., III; Van Dyne, Linn

1999-01-01

Four methods for large group instruction differ in control and coordination dimensions: (1) centralization with mutual adjustment; (2) centralization with standardization; (3) decentralization with standardization; and (4) decentralization with mutual adjustment. Other factors to consider include class size and interests of various constituencies:…

An Evaluation of a School-Based Suicide Awareness Intervention.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kalafat, John; Elias, Maurice

1994-01-01

Employed self-report questionnaire in Solomon four-groups design to assess efficacy of suicide intervention classes in achieving their instructional objectives. Tenth-grade students who participated in classes as compared to controls showed significant gains in relevant knowledge about suicidal peers and significantly more positive attitudes…

Results of a systematic literature review of treatment modalities for jugulotympanic paraganglioma, stratified per Fisch class.

PubMed

Jansen, T T G; Timmers, H J L M; Marres, H A M; Kaanders, J H A M; Kunst, H P M

2018-04-01

Key for successful jugulotympanic paraganglioma management is a personalised approach aiming for the best practice for each individual patient. To this end, a systematic review is performed, evaluating the local control and complication rates for the different treatment modalities stratified by the broadly accepted Fisch classification. A systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement was performed. A detailed overview of individual treatment outcomes per Fisch class is provided. Local control, cranial nerve damage, complications, function recovery. Eighteen studies were selected, resembling 83 patients treated with radiotherapy and 299 with surgery. Excellent local control was found post-surgery for class A and B tumours, and risk of cranial nerve damage was <1%. For class C1-4 tumours, local control was 80%-95% post-surgery (84% post-radiotherapy), and cranial nerve damage was found in 71%-76% (none post-radiotherapy; P < .05). There was no difference in treatment outcomes between tumours of different C class. For class C1-4De/Di tumours, local control was 38%-86% (98% post-radiotherapy; P < .05) and cranial nerve damage/complication rates were 67%-100% (3% post-radiotherapy; P < .05). C1-4DeDi tumours showed lesser local control and cranial nerve damage rates when compared to C1-4De tumours. An individual risk is constituted for surgery and radiotherapy, stratified per Fisch class. For class A and B tumours, surgery is a suitable treatment option. For class C and D tumours, radiotherapy results in lower complication rates and similar or better local control rates when compared to the surgical group. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of reading picture books on kindergartners' mathematics performance.

PubMed

van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, Marja; Elia, Iliada; Robitzsch, Alexander

2016-02-07

This article describes a field experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design which investigated the potential of reading picture books to children for supporting their mathematical understanding. The study involved 384 children from 18 kindergarten classes in 18 schools in the Netherlands. During three months, the children in the nine experimental classes were read picture books. Data analysis revealed that, when controlled for relevant covariates, the picture book reading programme had a positive effect ( d  = .13) on kindergartners' mathematics performance as measured by a project test containing items on number, measurement and geometry. Compared to the increase from pretest to posttest in the control group, the increase in the experimental group was 22% larger. No significant differential intervention effects were found between subgroups based on kindergarten year, age, home language, socio-economic status and mathematics and language ability, but a significant intervention effect was found for girls and not for boys.

Effects of reading picture books on kindergartners’ mathematics performance

PubMed Central

van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, Marja; Elia, Iliada; Robitzsch, Alexander

2016-01-01

This article describes a field experiment with a pretest–posttest control group design which investigated the potential of reading picture books to children for supporting their mathematical understanding. The study involved 384 children from 18 kindergarten classes in 18 schools in the Netherlands. During three months, the children in the nine experimental classes were read picture books. Data analysis revealed that, when controlled for relevant covariates, the picture book reading programme had a positive effect (d = .13) on kindergartners’ mathematics performance as measured by a project test containing items on number, measurement and geometry. Compared to the increase from pretest to posttest in the control group, the increase in the experimental group was 22% larger. No significant differential intervention effects were found between subgroups based on kindergarten year, age, home language, socio-economic status and mathematics and language ability, but a significant intervention effect was found for girls and not for boys. PMID:26855457

Verbal and visual learning of science terminology by high school biology students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grant, Andrew Morton

The purpose of this study is to determine whether scientific terms with multiple meanings are more easily learned when taught pictorially or when taught verbally. The question of interference from previously known colloquial meanings is addressed as well. In carrying out this study, an experimental group of 30 students was taught pictorially and a control group of 30 students was taught verbally. Each group was made up of male and female students from the dominant culture (Caucasian) and from alternate cultures (mainly African American and Asian). The age of the participants was between 14 and 17. Students were selected as class groups. There were four class groups in the study. Class groups were assigned to the experimental or control group by random selection. Results were compared by use of a pre-test and post-test procedure. Students were asked to verbally describe 41 terms having scientific and colloquial meanings; they were to give the scientific meaning, if known, the colloquial if not, or leave a question mark if the term was unknown. They were then asked to draw a picture of the meaning of the term, if known. The same instructions were given to both groups. A series of seven hypotheses were identified. These hypotheses considered learning outcomes related to instructional mode as well as outcomes related to gender and cultural differences. An attempt was made to determine the similarity of the experimental and control groups. Student profiles, a learning styles inventory, and an imbedded image test all showed an initial similarity of the two groups. Once the pretest and posttest were given, data were analyzed by the use of the Chi-square of Association, the McNemar Chi-square, and Z scores (at.05 significance level). Results indicated significant differences in outcomes between the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group showed more science vocabulary learning than the control group and experienced more interference from the colloquial meanings of the terms used. Gender and cultural relationships were tested both between groups and within groups. Significant gender differences were found between groups. The patterns of response described in the experimental group were attributed to the method of pictorial instruction given this group.

Occlusal features and need for orthodontic treatment in persons with osteogenesis imperfecta

PubMed Central

Binh, Ho Duy; Nguyen, Khac Minh; Maasalu, Katre; Kõks, Sulev; Märtson, Aare; Saag, Mare; Jagomägi, Triin

2017-01-01

Abstract The aim of the study was to (a) analyse dental occlusion and determine the need for orthodontic treatment of persons with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) in comparison with the healthy population and (b) investigate the associations between OI and malocclusion. A case‐control study included 26 OI persons and 400 healthy participants (control group). Occlusal features and the need for orthodontic treatment were defined according to Dental Health Component‐Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and Dental Aesthetic Index. Results showed that Angle Class I, II, and III relationship was found in 23.1%, 3.8%, and 73.1% of OI group, and in the control group, it was 67%, 17.5%, and 15.5%, respectively. OI group had significantly higher prevalence of reverse overjet >1 mm (76.9%), missing teeth (42.3%), posterior crossbite (34.6%), and open bite >2 mm (19.2%) compared to the control group (8.5%, 2.2%, 6.2%, and 3.5%, respectively). OI group had less incisal segment crowding and more incisal segment spacing than the control group (p < 0.05). The need for orthodontic treatment of OI group according to Dental Health Component‐Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and Dental Aesthetic Index was 88.5% and 61.5%, respectively, while in the control group, it was 24.8% and 51.8%. The malocclusion in OI persons was associated with reverse overjet > 1 mm (OR = 13.3, 95% CI = 3.9–44.7, p < .001), Angle Class III malocclusion (OR = 8.0, 95% CI = 2.0–30.8, p = .003), and missing teeth (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.0–22.4, p = .049). In conclusion, there is the high probability of malocclusion in OI persons. Persons with OI require early orthodontic treatment because of significant correlation of OI disease with Angle Class III malocclusion, reverse overjet, and missing teeth. PMID:29744175

Long-term treatment effects of the FR-2 appliance: a prospective evalution 7 years post-treatment

PubMed Central

Franchi, Lorenzo; Cevidanes, Lucia H. S.; Scanavini, Marco A.; McNamara, James A.

2014-01-01

AIM To examine the long-term effects induced by treatment with the function regulator (FR-2) appliance 7 years post-treatment compared with untreated class II subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The FR-2 sample was collected prospectively and comprised 17 subjects (10 boys and 7 girls, mean age 10.8 years) who were treated with the FR-2 appliance for 1.7 years and re-evaluated 7.1 years after treatment. The step-by-step mandibular advancement was performed gradually (increments up to 3–4 mm), until a ‘super class I’ molar relationship was obtained. The control group consisted of 17 class II subjects (9 boys and 8 girls, mean age 11.3 years) with class II malocclusion, excessive overjet, and class II molar relationship, matched to the treated group as to ages at all times, gender distribution, and stages of skeletal maturity (evaluated by the cervical vertebral maturation method). The lateral cephalograms were analysed at T1 (initial), T2 (final), and T3 (7.1 years post-treatment). The compatibility between the groups and the comparisons of their changes at T1–T2, T2–T3, and T1–T3 intervals were examined by independent sample t-tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS FR-2 treatment provided a significant improvement in the maxillomandibular relationship due to an increase in mandibular length compared with controls, which remained stable over time. Also overjet, overbite, and molar relationship corrections demonstrated stability. Among dentoalveolar changes, only the increased mesial movement of the mandibular molars in the FR-2 group demonstrated stability. CONCLUSIONS Correction of class II malocclusion remained stable 7 years after FR-2 treatment mainly due to the stability of the skeletal changes. PMID:23736378

Telephone-Based Coaching: A Comparison of Tobacco Cessation Programs in an Integrated Health Care System

PubMed Central

Boccio, Mindy; Sanna, Rashel S.; Adams, Sara R.; Goler, Nancy C.; Brown, Susan D.; Neugebauer, Romain S.; Ferrara, Assiamira; Wiley, Deanne M.; Bellamy, David J.; Schmittdiel, Julie A.

2016-01-01

Purpose Many Americans continue to smoke, increasing their risk of disease and premature death. Both telephone-based counseling and in-person tobacco cessation classes may improve access for smokers seeking convenient support to quit. Little research has assessed whether such programs are effective in real-world clinical populations. Design Retrospective cohort study comparing wellness coaching participants with two groups of controls. Setting Kaiser Permanente, Northern California (KPNC), a large integrated health care delivery system. Subjects 241 patients who participated in telephonic tobacco cessation coaching from 1/1/2011–3/31/2012, and two control groups: propensity-score matched controls, and controls who participated in a tobacco cessation class during the same period. Wellness coaching participants received an average of two motivational interviewing based coaching sessions that engage the patient, evoke their reason to consider quitting and help them establish a quit plan. Measures Self-reported quitting of tobacco and fills of tobacco cessation medications within 12 months of follow-up. Analysis Logistic regressions adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and primary language. Results After adjusting for confounders, tobacco quit rates were higher among coaching participants vs. matched controls (31% vs. 23%, P<0.001) and comparable to class attendees (31% vs. 29%, P=0.28). Coaching participants and class attendees filled tobacco-cessation prescriptions at a higher rate (47% for both) than matched controls (6%, P<0.001). Conclusions Telephonic wellness coaching was as effective as in-person classes and was associated with higher rates of quitting compared to no treatment. The telephonic modality may increase convenience and scalability for health care systems looking to reduce tobacco use and improve health. PMID:26559720

Effectiveness and sustainability of the ViSC Social Competence Program to prevent cyberbullying and cyber-victimization: Class and individual level moderators.

PubMed

Gradinger, Petra; Yanagida, Takuya; Strohmeier, Dagmar; Spiel, Christiane

2016-01-01

We investigated whether the general anti-bullying program ViSC sustainably prevents cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. A longitudinal randomized control group design was used to examine (i) program effectiveness immediately after a 1 year implementation phase and (ii) sustainable program effects 6 months later taking several moderators on the class level (class climate and ethnic diversity) and on the individual level (gender, age, internet usage, traditional bullying/victimization) into account. Effectiveness (e.g., the change between waves 2 and 1) was examined in 2,042 students (47.6% girls), aged 11.7 years (SD = 0.88) enrolled in 18 schools and 103 classes. Sustainability (e.g., the change between waves 3 and 2) was examined in a sub-sample of 6 schools and 35 classes comprising 659 students. The self-assessment multiple-item scales showed longitudinal and multiple group invariance. Factor scores were extracted to compute difference scores for effectiveness (Posttest minus Pretest) and sustainability (Follow-up test minus Posttest) for cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. Multilevel Modeling was applied to examine (i) the effectiveness and (ii) the sustainability of the ViSC intervention controlling for several individual and class level variables. Controlling for covariates, it was demonstrated that the ViSC program is effective in preventing cyberbullying and cyber-victimization and that the effects are sustainable after 6 months. The consequences for cyberbullying prevention are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A 3-year physical activity intervention program increases the gain in bone mineral and bone width in prepubertal girls but not boys: the prospective copenhagen school child interventions study (CoSCIS).

PubMed

Hasselstrøm, H A; Karlsson, M K; Hansen, S E; Grønfeldt, V; Froberg, K; Andersen, L B

2008-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing the amount of time spent in physical education classes on bone mineral accrual and gain in bone size in prepubertal Danish children. A total of 135 boys and 108 girls, aged 6-8 years, were included in a school-based curriculum intervention program where the usual time spent in physical education classes was doubled to four classes (180 min) per week. The control group comprised age-matched children (62 boys and 76 girls) recruited from a separate community who completed the usual Danish school curriculum of physical activity (90 min/week). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate bone mineral content (BMC; g), bone mineral density (g/cm(2)), and bone width at the calcaneus and distal forearm before and after 3 years of intervention. Anthropometrics and Tanner stages were evaluated on the same occasions. General physical activity was measured with an accelerometer worn for 4 days. In girls, the intervention group had a 12.5% increase (P = 0.04) in distal forearm BMC and a 13.2% increase (P = 0.005) in distal forearm scanned area compared with girls in the control group. No differences were found between the intervention and control groups in boys. Increasing the frequency of physical education classes for prepubertal children is associated with a higher accrual of bone mineral and higher gain in bone size after 3 years in girls but not in boys.

Four Distinct Subgroups of Self-Injurious Behavior among Chinese Adolescents: Findings from a Latent Class Analysis

PubMed Central

Xin, Xiuhong; Ming, Qingsen; Zhang, Jibiao; Wang, Yuping; Liu, Mingli; Yao, Shuqiao

2016-01-01

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) among adolescents is an important public health issue worldwide. It is still uncertain whether homogeneous subgroups of SIB can be identified and whether constellations of SIBs can co-occur due to the high heterogeneity of these behaviors. In this study, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a large school-based sample and latent class analysis was performed (n = 10,069, mean age = 15 years) to identify SIB classes based on 11 indicators falling under direct SIB (DSIB), indirect SIB (ISIB), and suicide attempts (SAs). Social and psychological characteristics of each subgroup were examined after controlling for age and gender. Results showed that a four-class model best fit the data and each class had a distinct pattern of co-occurrence of SIBs and external measures. Class 4 (the baseline/normative group, 65.3%) had a low probability of SIB. Class 3 (severe SIB group, 3.9%) had a high probability of SIB and the poorest social and psychological status. Class 1 (DSIB+SA group, 14.2%) had similar scores for external variables compared to class 3, and included a majority of girls [odds ratio (OR) = 1.94]. Class 2 (ISIB group, 16.6%) displayed moderate endorsement of ISIB items, and had a majority of boys and older adolescents (OR = 1.51). These findings suggest that SIB is a heterogeneous entity, but it may be best explained by four homogenous subgroups that display quantitative and qualitative differences. Findings in this study will improve our understanding on SIB and may facilitate the prevention and treatment of SIB. PMID:27392132

Treatment credibility, expectancy, and preference: Prediction of treatment engagement and outcome in a randomized clinical trial of hatha yoga vs. health education as adjunct treatments for depression.

PubMed

Uebelacker, Lisa A; Weinstock, Lauren M; Battle, Cynthia L; Abrantes, Ana M; Miller, Ivan W

2018-06-02

Hatha yoga may be helpful for alleviating depression symptoms. The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether treatment program preference, credibility, or expectancy predict engagement in depression interventions (yoga or a control class) or depression symptom severity over time. This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of hatha yoga vs. a health education control group for treatment of depression. Depressed participants (n = 122) attended up to 20 classes over a period of 10 weeks, and then completed additional assessments after 3 and 6 months. We assessed treatment preference prior to randomization, and treatment credibility and expectancy after participants attended their first class. Treatment "concordance" indicated that treatment preference matched assigned treatment. Treatment credibility, expectancy, and concordance were not associated with treatment engagement. Treatment expectancy moderated the association between treatment group and depression. Depression severity over time differed by expectancy level for the yoga group but not for the health education group. Controlling for baseline depression, participants in the yoga group with an average or high expectancy for improvement showed lower depression symptoms across the acute intervention and follow-up period than those with a low expectancy for improvement. There was a trend for a similar pattern for credibility. Concordance was not associated with treatment outcome. This is a secondary, post-hoc analysis and should be considered hypothesis-generating. Results suggest that expectancy improves the likelihood of success only for a intervention thought to actively target depression (yoga) and not a control intervention. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of a regular exercise programme on pelvic girdle and low back pain in previously inactive pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Haakstad, Lene A H; Bø, Kari

2015-03-01

To determine whether participation in a group fitness class for pregnant women can prevent and treat pelvic girdle pain and low back pain. An observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women, mean age 30.7 years (standard deviation (SD) 4.0), mean pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) 23.8 (SD 4.3), were assigned to either control or exercise groups at mean gestation week 17.7 (SD 4.2). The exercise intervention followed the guidelines of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and included a 60 min general fitness class, with 40 min of endurance training and 20 min of strength training including stretching, performed at least twice per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Outcome measures were number of women reporting pelvic girdle pain and low back pain after the intervention (mean pregnancy week 36.6 (SD 0.9)) and postpartum (mean 7.7 (SD 1.7)). There were no statistically significant differences between the exercisers and controls in numbers reporting the 2 conditions after the intervention (pelvic girdle pain: odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, CI = 0.56-3.20 or low back pain: OR = 1.10, CI = 0.47-2.60) or postpartum (pelvic girdle pain: OR = 0.38, CI = 0.13-1.10 or low back pain: OR = 1.45, CI = 0.54-3.94). A comparison of the women who had attended at least 80% of the weekly exercise classes with the control participants did not change the results. Participation in regular group fitness classes during pregnancy did not alter the proportion of women reporting pelvic girdle pain or low back pain during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Patterns of Weight Control Behavior among 15 year old Girls

PubMed Central

Balantekin, Katherine N.; Birch, Leann L.; Savage, Jennifer S.

2015-01-01

Objective The objectives were to identify and predict patterns of weight control behavior in 15 year old (yo) girls and to examine weight control group differences in energy intake. Method Subjects included 166 girls assessed every 2 years (ys) from age 5 to 15. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of weight control behaviors. Antecedent variables (e.g. inhibitory control at 7ys), and concurrent variables (e.g. BMI and dietary intake at 15ys) were included as predictors. Assessments were a combination of survey, interview, and laboratory measures. Results LCA identified four classes of weight control behaviors, Non-dieters (26%), and three dieting groups: Lifestyle (16%), Dieters (43%), and Extreme Dieters (17%). Levels of restraint, weight concerns, and dieting frequency increased across groups, from Non-dieters to Extreme Dieters. BMI at 5ys and inhibitory control at 7ys predicted weight control group at 15ys; e.g. with every one-point decrease in inhibitory control, girls were twice as likely to be Extreme Dieters than Non-dieters. Girls in the Extreme Dieters group were mostly classified as under-reporters, and had the lowest self-reported intake, but ate significantly more in the laboratory. Discussion Among 15yo girls, “dieting” includes a range of both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Risk factors for membership in a weight control groups are present as early as 5ys. Patterns of intake in the laboratory support the view that lower reported energy intake by Extreme Dieters is likely due under-reporting as an intent to decrease intake, not actual decreased intake. PMID:26284953

Mobile-Based Video Learning Outcomes in Clinical Nursing Skill Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Lee, Nam-Ju; Chae, Sun-Mi; Kim, Haejin; Lee, Ji-Hye; Min, Hyojin Jennifer; Park, Da-Eun

2016-01-01

Mobile devices are a regular part of daily life among the younger generations. Thus, now is the time to apply mobile device use to nursing education. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a mobile-based video clip on learning motivation, competence, and class satisfaction in nursing students using a randomized controlled trial with a pretest and posttest design. A total of 71 nursing students participated in this study: 36 in the intervention group and 35 in the control group. A video clip of how to perform a urinary catheterization was developed, and the intervention group was able to download it to their own mobile devices for unlimited viewing throughout 1 week. All of the students participated in a practice laboratory to learn urinary catheterization and were blindly tested for their performance skills after participation in the laboratory. The intervention group showed significantly higher levels of learning motivation and class satisfaction than did the control. Of the fundamental nursing competencies, the intervention group was more confident in practicing catheterization than their counterparts. Our findings suggest that video clips using mobile devices are useful tools that educate student nurses on relevant clinical skills and improve learning outcomes.

Enhancement of Customary Dermoscopy Education With Spaced Education e-Learning: A Prospective Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Boespflug, Amélie; Guerra, José; Dalle, Stéphane; Thomas, Luc

2015-08-01

Dermoscopy permits the detection of early-stage melanomas but is difficult to learn. It is important to develop effective teaching methods. Spaced education is a methodology within the field of adaptive learning that uses online tools to reinforce long-term retention. To determine whether a spaced education dermoscopy module improved dermoscopy skills in the continuing medical education setting and to evaluate participant satisfaction. We designed a prospective controlled study with 2 sequential cohorts of participants enrolled between September 2010 and September 2013, in the continuing medical education dermoscopy program of the Claude Bernard-Lyon 1 University in Lyon, France. Participants enrolled in this program were either certified dermatologists or senior dermatology residents. The control group (n = 95) comprised all participants enrolled during the 2 first years of the study (49 participants in the class of 2010, 46 in the class of 2011). The intervention group (n = 96) comprised all participants enrolled during the third and fourth years of the study (46 in the class of 2012; 50 in the class of 2013). All participants attended a 3-day lecture followed by small-group tutorials 4 months later. Each participant also attended a day of consultation with a dermoscopy specialist. In addition, participants in the intervention group were enrolled in an e-learning spaced education dermoscopy program. The main outcome measure was mean participant scores at the posttest evaluation, which was conducted 4 months after course enrollment. The intervention group had better results at the posttest, with a mean (SD) score (out of a possible 160.0 points) of 148.1 (5.8) (n = 82 participants) vs 145.7 (7.7) (n = 90 participants) in the control group (P = .02). Ninety-two percent of the participants (80 of 87) were extremely or very satisfied with the e-learning module. Participant engagement was high, with an average of 85% of participants (80 of 94) "on track" at any given time of the year. Our study shows that, in the context of continuing medical education, a spaced education Internet dermoscopy module combined with in-class training increases participant performances in dermoscopy. It is easy to use and adaptable to professional working schedules.

Integrating Study Skills and Problem Solving into Remedial Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cornick, Jonathan; Guy, G. Michael; Beckford, Ian

2015-01-01

Students at a large urban community college enrolled in seven classes of an experimental remedial algebra programme, which integrated study skills instruction and collaborative problem solving. A control group of seven classes was taught in a traditional lecture format without study skills instruction. Student performance in the course was…

Acculturation and Self-Rated Mental Health Among Latino and Asian Immigrants in the United States: A Latent Class Analysis.

PubMed

Bulut, Elif; Gayman, Matthew D

2016-08-01

This study assesses variations in acculturation experiences by identifying distinct acculturation classes, and investigates the role of these acculturation classes for self-rated mental health among Latino and Asian immigrants in the United States. Using 2002-2003 the National Latino and Asian American Study, Latent Class Analysis is used to capture variations in immigrant classes (recent arrivals, separated, bicultural and assimilated), and OLS regressions are used to assess the link between acculturation classes and self-rated mental health. For both Latinos and Asians, bicultural immigrants reported the best mental health, and separated immigrants and recent arrivals reported the worst mental health. The findings also reveal group differences in acculturation classes, whereby Latino immigrants were more likely to be in the separated class and recent arrivals class relative to Asian immigrants. While there was not a significant group difference in self-rated mental health at the bivariate level, controlling for acculturation classes revealed that Latinos report better self-rated mental health than Asians. Thus, Latino immigrants would actually have better self-rated mental health than their Asian counterparts if they were not more likely to be represented in less acculturated classes (separated class and recent arrivals) and/or as likely to be in the bicultural class as their Asian counterparts. Together the findings underscore the nuanced and complex nature of the acculturation process, highlighting the importance of race differences in this process, and demonstrate the role of acculturation classes for immigrant group differences in self-rated mental health.

Text Message Support for Weight Loss in Patients With Prediabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Fischer, Henry H; Fischer, Ilana P; Pereira, Rocio I; Furniss, Anna L; Rozwadowski, Jeanne M; Moore, Susan L; Durfee, Michael J; Raghunath, Silvia G; Tsai, Adam G; Havranek, Edward P

2016-08-01

Although the benefits of in-person Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) classes for diabetes prevention have been demonstrated in trials, effectiveness in clinical practice is limited by low participation rates. This study explores whether text message support enhances weight loss in patients offered DPP classes. English- and Spanish-speaking patients with prediabetes (n = 163) were randomized to the control group, which only received an invitation to DPP classes as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or to the text message-augmented intervention group, which also received text messages adapted from the DPP curriculum for 12 months. Mean weight decreased 0.6 pounds (95% CI -2.7 to 1.6) in the control group and 2.6 pounds (95% CI -5.5 to 0.2) in the intervention group (P value 0.05). Three percent weight loss was achieved by 21.5% of participants in the control group (95% CI 12.5-30.6), compared with 38.5% in the intervention group (95% CI 27.7-49.3) (absolute difference 17.0%; P value 0.02). Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) increased by 0.19% or 2.1 mmol/mol (95% CI -0.1 to 0.5%) and decreased by 0.09% or 1.0 mmol/mol (95% CI -0.2 to 0.0%) in the control group and intervention participants, respectively (absolute difference 0.28%; P value 0.07). Stratification by language demonstrated a significant treatment effect in Spanish speakers but not in English speakers. Text message support can lead to clinically significant weight loss in patients with prediabetes. Further study assessing effect by primary language and in an operational setting is warranted. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.

Case-control study of paternal occupation and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain, 1962-2006.

PubMed

Keegan, T J; Bunch, K J; Vincent, T J; King, J C; O'Neill, K A; Kendall, G M; MacCarthy, A; Fear, N T; Murphy, M F G

2012-10-23

Paternal occupational exposures have been proposed as a risk factor for childhood leukaemia. This study investigates possible associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain. The National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided all cases of childhood leukaemia born and diagnosed in Great Britain between 1962 and 2006. Controls were matched on sex, period of birth and birth registration subdistrict. Fathers' occupations were assigned to 1 or more of 33 exposure groups. Social class was derived from father's occupation at the time of the child's birth. A total of 16 764 cases of childhood leukaemia were ascertained. One exposure group, paternal social contact, was associated with total childhood leukaemia (odds ratio 1.14, 1.05-1.23); this association remained significant when adjusted for social class. The subtypes lymphoid leukaemia (LL) and acute myeloid leukaemia showed increased risk with paternal exposure to social contact before adjustment for social class. Risk of other leukaemias was significantly increased by exposure to electromagnetic fields, persisting after adjustment for social class. For total leukaemia, the risks for exposure to lead and exhaust fumes were significantly <1. Occupationally derived social class was associated with risk of LL, with the risk being increased in the higher social classes. Our results showed some support for a positive association between childhood leukaemia risk and paternal occupation involving social contact. Additionally, LL risk increased with higher paternal occupational social class.

Application of experiential learning model using simple physical kit to increase attitude toward physics student senior high school in fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johari, A. H.; Muslim

2018-05-01

Experiential learning model using simple physics kit has been implemented to get a picture of improving attitude toward physics senior high school students on Fluid. This study aims to obtain a description of the increase attitudes toward physics senior high school students. The research method used was quasi experiment with non-equivalent pretest -posttest control group design. Two class of tenth grade were involved in this research 28, 26 students respectively experiment class and control class. Increased Attitude toward physics of senior high school students is calculated using an attitude scale consisting of 18 questions. Based on the experimental class test average of 86.5% with the criteria of almost all students there is an increase and in the control class of 53.75% with the criteria of half students. This result shows that the influence of experiential learning model using simple physics kit can improve attitude toward physics compared to experiential learning without using simple physics kit.

Enamel remineralization on teeth adjacent to Class II glass ionomer restorations.

PubMed

Segura, A; Donly, K J; Stratmann, R G

1997-10-01

To examine the in vitro remineralization of incipient carious lesions on teeth adjacent interproximally to teeth with Class II glass ionomer cement restorations. Artificial carious lesions were created at the contact area of 30 teeth. Ten teeth had Class II glass ionomer cement/resin composite restorations placed, 10 teeth had Class II glass ionomer silver cermet restorations placed and 10 teeth had Class II amalgam restorations placed. Sections 100 microns thick were obtained longitudinally through the caries sites and polarized photomicrographs were taken in imbibition media of water and Thoulet's (R.I. 1.41 and 1.47) solutions, representing 5%, 10% and 25% pore volume respectively. Varnish was placed on the section, leaving only the external section site exposed, then sections were situated back into the original tooth. The restored teeth were abutted to the carious tooth so that the restorations came into contact with the adjacent restoration. The specimens were placed into closed environments of artificial saliva for 14 days, then were photographed again under polarized light and areas of the carious lesions were quantitated. An ANOVA indicated significant variance in adjacent tooth remineralization, when comparing the experimental groups, in imbibition media of water (P < 0.05), Thoulet's 1.41 solution (P < 0.008) and Thoulet's 1.47 solution (P < 0.006). Duncan's multiple range test demonstrated the glass ionomer cement/resin composite group to have significantly greater decrease in pore volume (P < 0.05) than the amalgam control group in water imbibition media and Thoulet's 1.47 media. There was no statistically significant difference between the glass ionomer cement/resin composite and glass ionomer silver cermet groups in these two imbibition media. The glass ionomer cement/resin composite group demonstrated significantly more (P < 0.05) decrease in pore volume than both the glass ionomer silver cermet group and amalgam control group in Thoulet's 1.47 imbibition media.

Decreased Sperm Motility Retarded ICSI Fertilization Rate in Severe Oligozoospermia but Good-Quality Embryo Transfer Had Achieved the Prospective Clinical Outcomes.

PubMed

Zheng, Jufeng; Lu, Yongning; Qu, Xianqin; Wang, Peng; Zhao, Luiwen; Gao, Minzhi; Shi, Huijuan; Jin, Xingliang

Spermatozoa motility is the critical parameter to affect the treatment outcomes during assisted reproductive technologies (ART), but its reproductive capability remains a little informed in condition of severe male factor infertility. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effects of reduced sperm motility on the embryological and clinical outcomes in intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment of severe oligozoospermia. 966 cycles (812 couples) of severe oligozoospermia diagnosed by spermatozoa count ≤ 5 × 106/mL and motile spermatozoa ≤ 2 × 106/mL were divided into four groups in according to the number of motile spermatozoa in one ejaculate on the day of oocyte retrieval (Group B-E). The control (Group A) was 188 cycles of moderate oligozoospermia with spermatozoa count > 5 × 106/mL and motile spermatozoa > 2 × 106/mL. All female partners were younger than 35 years of age. Logistic regression analyzed embryological outcomes (the rates of fertilization, cleavage and good-quality embryo) and clinical outcomes (the rates of pregnancy, implantation, early miscarriage and live birth). Quality of embryo transfer (ET) was divided into three classes as continuous factor to test the effects of embryo quality on clinical outcomes. The reduction in the number of motile sperm in four groups of severe oligozoospermia gave rise to comparable inability of the fertilization (p < 0.001) and a decreased rate of good-quality embryo at Day 3 (p < 0.001) by compared to the control. The cleavage rate of the derived zygotes was similar to the control. ET classes significantly affected the clinical outcomes (p < 0.001). Class I ET gave rise to similar rates of clinical outcomes between five groups, but Class II and Class III ET retarded the rates of pregnancy, implantation and live birth and this particularly occurred in Group C, D and E. The rate of early miscarriage was not comparably different between groups. Overall rates in all groups were 41.26% clinical pregnancy, 25.74% implantation and 36.32% live birth, which gave live birth to 252 girls and 252 boys. The reduction of motile spermatozoa in severe oligozoospermia decreased the rates of fertilization and good-quality embryo. Obtaining and transfer of good-quality embryos was the good prognostic to achieve prospective clinical outcomes regardless of the severity of oligozoospermia.

Normotension, prehypertension, and hypertension in urban middle-class subjects in India: prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control.

PubMed

Gupta, Rajeev; Deedwania, Prakash C; Achari, Vijay; Bhansali, Anil; Gupta, Bal Kishan; Gupta, Arvind; Mahanta, Tulika G; Asirvatham, Arthur J; Gupta, Sunil; Maheshwari, Anuj; Saboo, Banshi; Jali, Mallikarjuna V; Singh, Jitendra; Guptha, Soneil; Sharma, Krishna Kumar

2013-01-01

We conducted a multisite study to determine the prevalence and determinants of normotension, prehypertension, and hypertension, and awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among urban middle-class subjects in India. We evaluated 6,106 middle-class urban subjects (men 3,371; women, 2,735; response rate, 62%) in 11 cities for sociodemographic and biological factors. The subjects were classified as having normotension (BP < 120/80), prehypertension (BP 120-139/80-89), and hypertension (documented or BP ≥ 140/90). The prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors was determined and associations evaluated through logistic regression analysis. The age-adjusted prevalences in men and women of normotension were 26.7% and 39.1%, of prehypertension 40.2% and 30.1%, and of hypertension 32.5% and 30.4%, respectively. The prevalence of normotension declined with age whereas that of hypertension increased (P-trend < 0.01). A significant association of normotension was found with younger age, low dietary fat intake, lower use of tobacco, and low obesity (P < 0.05). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome was higher in the groups with prehypertension and hypertension than in the group with normotension (age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) 2.0-5.0, P < 0.001). The prevalences in men and women, respectively, of two or more risk factors were 11.1% and 6.4% in the group with normotension, 25.1% and 23.3% in the group with prehypertension, and 38.3% and 39.1% in the group with hypertension (P < 0.01). Awareness of hypertension in the study population was in 55.3%; 36.5% of the hypertensive group were receiving treatment for hypertension, and 28.2% of this group had a controlled BP (< 140/90 mm Hg). The study found a low prevalence of normotension and high prevalence of hypertension in middle-class urban Asian Indians. Significant associations of hypertension were found with age, dietary fat, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking, and obesity. Normotensive individuals had a lower prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors than did members of the prehypertensive or hypertensive groups. Half of the hypertensive group were aware of having hypertension, a third were receiving treatment for it, and quarter had a controlled BP.

Beating the numbers through strategic intervention materials (SIMs): Innovative science teaching for large classes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alboruto, Venus M.

2017-05-01

The study aimed to find out the effectiveness of using Strategic Intervention Materials (SIMs) as an innovative teaching practice in managing large Grade Eight Science classes to raise the performance of the students in terms of science process skills development and mastery of science concepts. Utilizing experimental research design with two groups of participants, which were purposefully chosen, it was obtained that there existed a significant difference in the performance of the experimental and control groups based on actual class observation and written tests on science process skills with a p-value of 0.0360 in favor of the experimental class. Further, results of written pre-test and post-test on science concepts showed that the experimental group with the mean of 24.325 (SD =3.82) performed better than the control group with the mean of 20.58 (SD =4.94), with a registered p-value of 0.00039. Therefore, the use of SIMs significantly contributed to the mastery of science concepts and the development of science process skills. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are offered: 1. that grade eight science teachers should use or adopt the SIMs used in this study to improve their students' performance; 2. training-workshop on developing SIMs must be conducted to help teachers develop SIMs to be used in their classes; 3. school administrators must allocate funds for the development and reproduction of SIMs to be used by the students in their school; and 4. every division should have a repository of SIMs for easy access of the teachers in the entire division.

A Stimulus-Independent Hybrid BCI Based on Motor Imagery and Somatosensory Attentional Orientation.

PubMed

Yao, Lin; Sheng, Xinjun; Zhang, Dingguo; Jiang, Ning; Mrachacz-Kersting, Natalie; Zhu, Xiangyang; Farina, Dario

2017-09-01

Distinctive EEG signals from the motor and somatosensory cortex are generated during mental tasks of motor imagery (MI) and somatosensory attentional orientation (SAO). In this paper, we hypothesize that a combination of these two signal modalities provides improvements in a brain-computer interface (BCI) performance with respect to using the two methods separately, and generate novel types of multi-class BCI systems. Thirty two subjects were randomly divided into a Control-Group and a Hybrid-Group. In the Control-Group, the subjects performed left and right hand motor imagery (i.e., L-MI and R-MI). In the Hybrid-Group, the subjects performed the four mental tasks (i.e., L-MI, R-MI, L-SAO, and R-SAO). The results indicate that combining two of the tasks in a hybrid manner (such as L-SAO and R-MI) resulted in a significantly greater classification accuracy than when using two MI tasks. The hybrid modality reached 86.1% classification accuracy on average, with a 7.70% increase with respect to MI ( ), and 7.21% to SAO ( ) alone. Moreover, all 16 subjects in the hybrid modality reached at least 70% accuracy, which is considered the threshold for BCI illiteracy. In addition to the two-class results, the classification accuracy was 68.1% and 54.1% for the three-class and four-class hybrid BCI. Combining the induced brain signals from motor and somatosensory cortex, the proposed stimulus-independent hybrid BCI has shown improved performance with respect to individual modalities, reducing the portion of BCI-illiterate subjects, and provided novel types of multi-class BCIs.

Argumentation Practices in Classroom: Pre-service teachers' conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaya, Ebru

2013-05-01

This study examines the impact of argumentation practices on pre-service teachers' understanding of chemical equilibrium. The sample consisted of 100 pre-service teachers in two classes of a public university. One of these classes was assigned as experimental and the other as control group, randomly. In the experimental group, the subject of chemical equilibrium was taught by using argumentative practices and the participants were encouraged to participate in the lessons actively. However, the instructor taught the same subject by using the lecturing method without engaging argumentative activities in the control group. The Chemical Equilibrium Concept Test and Written Argumentation Survey were administered to all participants to assess their conceptual understanding and the quality of their arguments, respectively. The analysis of covariance results indicate that argumentation practices significantly improved conceptual understanding of the experimental group when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the results show that the pre-service teachers exposed to argumentative practices constructed more quality arguments than those in the control group after the instruction. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the instruction based on argumentative practices is effective in concept teaching in science education. Therefore, argumentation should be explicitly taught in teacher education besides elementary and secondary education.

Influence of educational context in Astronomy teaching for ninth graders of elementary school under different teaching methodologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, D.

2015-03-01

This present work, carried out at E. E. Monsenhor Dr. Arthur Ricci, in the city of Itupeva-SP, aims to analyze different teaching strategies applied to Astronomy teaching, along with students from the last year of primary school. The 8th grade C was chosen as a research group and the 8th grade D as a control group. The D. P. Ausubel's Meaningful Learning Theory was the chosen theoretical referential, by being exclusively developed for the classroom environment. A questionnaire of previous knowledge about astronomy was applied to both classrooms, in which the research group obtained an index of 25.8% of right answers above 50.0%. In the control group, only 6.1% got more than 50.0%. After the questionnaire application, the interventions began. In the research group, astronomy workshops, telescopic observations and the Communication and Information Technologies. In the control group, interventions were made by conventional classes. Four months after the end of the interventions, the post-intervention questionnaire was applied, in which the research group obtained 22.5% of right answers above 50.0%, indicating a 3.3% drop in the class efficiency. The control group obtained 61.0% of right answers above 50.0%. It's concluded that, to reach Meaningful Learning it's imperative that the student is willing to learn.

Effects of online games on student performance in undergraduate physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadiq, Irfan

The present state of physics teaching and learning is a reflection of the difficulty of the subject matter which has resulted in students' low motivation toward physics as well as lack of meaningful and deeper learning experiences. In light of an overall decline in interest in physics, an investigation of alternate teaching and learning methods and tools was appropriate. The research posed the following question: To what extent do online games about kinematics and two-dimensional motion impact student performance in undergraduate general physics as measured by a unit posttest? Two intact classes of 20 students each were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. Only the experimental group received the treatment of using online games. The duration of topics covered in the game content was identical to the lecture on kinematics and two-dimensional motion. Instructors for the experimental group incorporated online games in their regular classroom teaching, whereas those in the control group continued with their previously used curriculum without games. This study was conducted in three weekly sessions. Although students were not selected using random sampling, existing classes were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. There were 20 students in the experimental group and 20 students in the control group. The independent samples t test was conducted to compare the means of two independently sampled experimental and control groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine if the two groups were significantly different with regard to their general physics performance on the posttest while controlling for the pretest scores. Analysis of posttest and pretest scores revealed that game-based learning did not significantly impact student performance.

The Effect of Online Collaboration on Adolescent Sense of Community in Eighth-Grade Physical Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wendt, Jillian L.; Rockinson-Szapkiw, Amanda J.

2015-01-01

Using a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent pretest/posttest control group design, the researchers examined the effects of online collaborative learning on eighth-grade student's sense of community in a physical science class. For a 9-week period, students in the control group participated in collaborative activities in a face-to-face learning…

Randomized Controlled Trial of Teaching Methods: Do Classroom Experiments Improve Economic Education in High Schools?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eisenkopf, Gerald; Sulser, Pascal A.

2016-01-01

The authors present results from a comprehensive field experiment at Swiss high schools in which they compare the effectiveness of teaching methods in economics. They randomly assigned classes into an experimental and a conventional teaching group, or a control group that received no specific instruction. Both teaching treatments improve economic…

Effect of Ethnochemistry Practices on Secondary School Students' Attitude towards Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singh, Indra Sen; Chibuye, Bitwell

2016-01-01

The main purpose of the study was to find out the effect of ethnochemistry practices on secondary school students' attitude towards Chemistry. The design of the study was pre-test post-test control group quasiexperimental design. Two grade 11 intact classes were assigned into experimental and control groups randomly. The total sample size…

77 FR 17121 - RailAmerica, Inc., Palm Beach Rail Holding, Inc., RailAmerica Transportation Corp., RailTex, Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-23

... Group, LLC, and RR Acquisition Holding, LLC--Control Exemption--Wellsboro & Corning Railroad, LLC Rail.... (RTC), RailTex, Inc. (RailTex), Fortress Investment Group, LLC (Fortress), and RR Acquisition Holding... acquire indirect control of the Wellsboro & Corning Railroad, LLC (W&C), a Class III rail carrier, through...

Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School

PubMed Central

Gonçalves, Lia Lopes; de Almeida, Maria Helena Morgani

2017-01-01

Background Aggressive behaviors must be addressed in elementary schools. Massage and storytelling can be strategies to deal with aggression because both involve experience exchange and social interaction. Both can decrease stress and anxiety and increase self-esteem. Objective To evaluate the effect of two interventions (massage and storytelling) on aggressive behaviors and academic performance of elementary school children. Method Three groups (n = 35 children in each group) of the second grade participated (aged 6.5–8.1 years). One group received ten extra classes of massage (MG), another group received extra classes of storytelling (SG), and the control group received extra classes of random subjects (CG). Extra classes lasted for 50 minutes, once a week. Aggressive behaviors were recorded on diaries, by the teachers and the coordinator. The frequency of aggressive behaviors and the academic performance of MG, SG, and CG were observed for six months and the groups were compared. Findings ANOVAs evidenced that MG and SG, but not CG, showed a reduction in aggressive behaviors registered by the teachers and coordinator, after the intervention. Academic performance of MG and SC improved after the intervention (p < 0.05). PMID:29097967

The effectivenes of science domain-based science learning integrated with local potency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniawati, Arifah Putri; Prasetyo, Zuhdan Kun; Wilujeng, Insih; Suryadarma, I. Gusti Putu

2017-08-01

This research aimed to determine the significant effect of science domain-based science learning integrated with local potency toward science process skills. The research method used was a quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group design. The population of this research was all students of class VII SMP Negeri 1 Muntilan. The sample of this research was selected through cluster random sampling, namely class VII B as an experiment class (24 students) and class VII C as a control class (24 students). This research used a test instrument that was adapted from Agus Dwianto's research. The aspect of science process skills in this research was observation, classification, interpretation and communication. The analysis of data used the one factor anova at 0,05 significance level and normalized gain score. The significance level result of science process skills with one factor anova is 0,000. It shows that the significance level < alpha (0,05). It means that there was significant effect of science domain-based science learning integrated with local potency toward science learning process skills. The results of analysis show that the normalized gain score are 0,29 (low category) in control class and 0,67 (medium category) in experiment class.

The implementation of integrated science teaching materials based socio-scientific issues to improve students scientific literacy for environmental pollution theme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yenni, Rita; Hernani, Widodo, Ari

2017-05-01

The study aims to determine the increasing of students' science literacy skills on content aspects and competency of science by using Integrated Science teaching materials based Socio-scientific Issues (SSI) for environmental pollution theme. The method used in the study is quasi-experiment with nonequivalent pretest and posttest control group design. The students of experimental class used teaching materials based SSI, whereas the students of control class were still using the usual textbooks. The result of this study showed a significant difference between the value of N-gain of experimental class and control class, whichalso occurred in every indicator of content aspects and competency of science. This result indicates that using of Integrated Science teaching materials based SSI can improve content aspect and competency of science and can be used as teaching materials alternative in teaching of Integrated Science.

Yoga during pregnancy: The effects on labor pain and delivery outcomes (A randomized controlled trial).

PubMed

Jahdi, Fereshteh; Sheikhan, Fatemeh; Haghani, Hamid; Sharifi, Bahare; Ghaseminejad, Azizeh; Khodarahmian, Mahshad; Rouhana, Nicole

2017-05-01

To investigate the effects of an antenatal yoga program on perceived maternal labor pain and delivery outcomes. This randomized control trial was conducted with sixty primiparous women, aged 18-35 years old, who were randomly assigned to either an antenatal yoga program or control groups. Labor pain and discomfort level of the participants were measured using a Visual Analogue Scale at cervical dilatation of 3-4 c and at 2 and 4 h after the initial measurement. Demographic and obstetrical information were collected. The antenatal yoga program consisted of a 1-h supervised yoga class, three times a weekly, starting at 26 weeks gestation. . Participants in control group reported higher pain intensity compared to experimental group at 3-4 cm of dilatation (p = 0.01) and at 2 h after the first and the second measurements (p = 0.000). Mothers in the antenatal intervention group that completed the yoga class required a decreased frequency of labor induction in comparison with control group (p = 0.008). In addition, mode of delivery of the intervention group resulted in a lower percentage of cesarean section than control group (p = 0.002). Lastly, the intervention group experienced a shorter duration of the second and third stages of labor. Interval level data was analyzed by using an independent t-test and chi-square. Yoga during pregnancy may contribute to a reduction pain of labor and improved adequacy of childbirth. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computer-aided axiography of asymptomatic individuals with Class II/2.

PubMed

Stamm, T; Vehring, A; Ehmer, U; Bollmann, F

1998-01-01

The condylar axiographic tracings of 23 asymptomatic adult volunteers (Helkimo-index DiO) with Class II/2 axiography relationships were compared to tracings of an analogous group (DiO; n = 30) with normal occlusion. The obtained measurements were evaluated statistically and discussed with respect to possible recording errors. The open-close movement proceeded uncharacteristically, differences existed only in protrusion, mediotrusion and their combined rotation component. In Class II/2 cases an approximately 7 degrees higher angle of the condylar path inclination (CPI) was measured. The Class II/2 group rotated to a significantly higher angle in protrusive and mediotrusive movements and showed longer condylar path lengths than the control group. Another significant difference was found in the location of maximum CPI values and maximum rotation angles within the condylar path, because in no case was isolated rotation or translation of the hinge axis observed. The temporomandibular joint of Class II/2 individuals shows a wider range of motion than joints of subjects with normal occlusion. The reduced capacity of motion which was assumed to exist in a so-called hack-bite could not be backed up for Class II/2 deep bite cases. The investigated differences cannot be seen as pathomechanisms, because all participants were clinically free of dysfunction. The neuromuscular engram to overcome the overbite controls a complex spatial motion pattern which cannot be described by a simplified mechanical abstraction of motion in the sagittal plane. The temporomandibular joint with its complex pattern of movement is able to create physiological mechanisms of compensation to react to different dental and skeletal features.

Treatment timing for functional jaw orthopaedics followed by fixed appliances: a controlled long-term study.

PubMed

Pavoni, Chiara; Lombardo, Elisabetta Cretella; Lione, Roberta; Faltin, Kurt; McNamara, James A; Cozza, Paola; Franchi, Lorenzo

2017-11-01

To evaluate the role of treatment timing on long-term dentoskeletal effects of Class II treatment with removable functional appliances followed by full-fixed appliance therapy. A group of 46 patients (23 females and 23 males) with Class II malocclusion treated consecutively with either Bionator or Activator, followed by fixed appliances was compared with a matched control group of 31 subjects (16 females and 15 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. The treated sample was evaluated at T1, start of treatment (mean age: 9.9 ± 1.3 years); T2, end of functional treatment and prior to fixed appliances (mean age: 11.9 ± 1.3 years); and T3, long-term observation (mean age: 18.3 ± 2.1 years). The treated and the control samples were divided into pre-pubertal and pubertal groups according to skeletal maturity observed at the start of treatment. Statistical comparisons were performed with independent sample t-tests. When treatment was initiated before puberty, Class II correction was mostly confined to the dentoalveolar changes, with significant improvements of both overjet and molar relationships. On the other hand, treatment with the outset at puberty produced significant long-term improvement of sagittal skeletal relationships, which were mainly sustained by mandibular changes. Treatment with removable functional appliances (Bionator or Activator) followed by full-fixed appliances produced significant skeletal long-term changes when it begins at puberty. Prepubertal Class II treatment results primarily in dentoalveolar changes. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Orthodontic Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

A novel approach for treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion: Miniplates-based skeletal anchorage.

PubMed

Al-Dumaini, Abdullsalam Abdulqawi; Halboub, Esam; Alhammadi, Maged Sultan; Ishaq, Ramy Abdul Rahman; Youssef, Mohamed

2018-02-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new approach-bimaxillary miniplates-based skeletal anchorage-in the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion compared with untreated subjects. The study (miniplates) group comprised 28 patients (14 boys, 14 girls) with skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion, with a mean age of 11.83 years. After 0.017 × 0.025-in stainless steel archwires were placed in both arches, 4 miniplates were fixed bilaterally, 2 in the maxillary anterior areas and 2 in the mandibular posterior areas, and used for skeletal treatment with elastics. Twenty-four Class II untreated subjects (11 boys, 13 girls), with a mean age of 11.75 years, were included as controls. Skeletal and dental changes were evaluated using pretreatment and posttreatment or observational lateral cephalometric radiographs. The treatment changes were compared with the growth changes observed in the control group using independent t tests. Compared with the minimal changes induced by growth in the control group, the skeletal changes induced by miniplates were more obvious. The mandibular length increased significantly (3 mm), and the mandible moved forward, with a significant restraint in the sagittal position of the maxilla (P <0.001). The overjet correction (-4.26 mm) was found to be a net result of skeletal changes (A-Y-axis = -1.18 mm and B-Y-axis = 3.83 mm). The mandibular plane was significantly decreased by 2.75° (P <0.001). This new technique, bimaxillary miniplates-based skeletal anchorage, is an effective method for treating patients with skeletal Class II malocclusions through obvious skeletal, but minimal dentoalveolar, changes. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Balance circuit classes to improve balance among rehabilitation inpatients: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Impaired balance and mobility are common among rehabilitation inpatients. Poor balance and mobility lead to an increased risk of falling. Specific balance exercise has been shown to improve balance and reduce falls within the community setting. However few studies have measured the effects of balance exercises on balance within the inpatient setting. The aim of this randomised controlled trial is to investigate whether the addition of circuit classes targeting balance to usual therapy lead to greater improvements in balance among rehabilitation inpatients than usual therapy alone. Methods/Design A single centre, randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. One hundred and sixty two patients admitted to the general rehabilitation ward at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital will be recruited. Eligible participants will have no medical contraindications to exercise and will be able to: fully weight bear; stand unaided independently for at least 30 seconds; and participate in group therapy sessions with minimal supervision. Participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or usual-care control group. Both groups will receive standard rehabilitation intervention that includes physiotherapy mobility training and exercise for at least two hours on each week day. The intervention group will also receive six 1-hour circuit classes of supervised balance exercises designed to maximise the ability to make postural adjustments in standing, stepping and walking. The primary outcome is balance. Balance will be assessed by measuring the total time the participant can stand unsupported in five different positions; feet apart, feet together, semi-tandem, tandem and single-leg-stance. Secondary outcomes include mobility, self reported physical functioning, falls and hospital readmissions. Performance on the outcome measures will be assessed before randomisation and at two-weeks and three-months after randomisation by physiotherapists unaware of intervention group allocation. Discussion This study will determine the impact of additional balance circuit classes on balance among rehabilitation inpatients. The results will provide essential information to guide evidence-based physiotherapy at the study site as well as across other rehabilitation inpatient settings. Trial registration The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand, Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN=12611000412932 PMID:23870654

76 FR 70051 - Establishment of Class D and Amendment of Class E Airspace; Los Angeles, CA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-10

... FAA considered non- rulemaking solutions but found they did not provide the equivalent level of safety... Administration, Operations Support Group, Western Service Center, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057... Letter of Agreement between Los Angeles Air Traffic Control Tower and hang gliding operators will be...

Learning to Program in KPL through Guided Collaboration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsiao, Sheng-Che; Lin, Janet Mei-Chuen; Kang, Jiin-Cherng

2011-01-01

A quasi-experiment was conducted at an elementary school to investigate if guided collaboration would facilitate programming learning of 6 graders. Sixty-six students of two intact classes learned to program in KPL (kid's programming language) for 18 weeks during the experiment. One class was randomly assigned to the control group (i.e.,…

An Intervention Study on Mental Computation for Second Graders in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Der-Ching; Huang, Ke-Lun

2014-01-01

The authors compared the mental computation performance and mental strategies used by an experimental Grade 2 class and a control Grade 2 class before and after instructional intervention. Results indicate that students in the experimental group had better performance on mental computation. The use of mental strategies (counting, separation,…

A Game Plan for Teaching Logic.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woloshin, Phyllis Lerman

An experiment using game-theory to teach a unit on "fallacies" in logic was conducted at Oakton Community College. One experimental and two control group lecture-style classes were taught by three teachers using the same text and final test. The experimental class, after an introductory segment presented in lecture style, were involved in a…

Integrating Reading Instruction into Vocational Agriculture Classes. Miscellaneous Publication 586. Contribution Number 3813.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sullivan, Dorothy D.; Cardozier, V.R.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether special reading instruction integrated with agricultural instruction would result in improved reading ability and increased achievement in subject matter. random assignment was made of vocational agriculture classes in 12 Maryland schools to experimental and control groups. Units on soil sampling…

Impact of online lecture-capture on student outcomes in a therapeutics course.

PubMed

Bollmeier, Suzanne G; Wenger, Philip J; Forinash, Alicia B

2010-09-10

To examine the correlation between students accessing recorded lecture files (audio and slides) online and course grades and class attendance. Second professional year (of 6-year program) students in a therapeutics course had access to recorded online lectures for 72 hours following live lectures. The number and duration of lecture accessions were compared to final course grades and class attendance. Course grades were compared to those of a historical control group. At the end of the semester, students completed a brief survey instrument regarding their use and perceptions of online lectures. No correlation was found between final course grades and the number of lecture accessions (r = 0.0014) or total number of minutes lectures were viewed (r = 0.033), nor between class attendance and minutes viewed (r = 0.2158). Students with access to recorded lectures outperformed the historical control group on the final examination (p < 0.002). Seventy-two percent of students reported no influence of online files on class attendance. Posting lectures online did not affect student outcomes, but students did score higher on the final examination.

Efficacy of a 3-month lifestyle intervention program using a Japanese-style healthy plate on body weight in overweight and obese diabetic Japanese subjects: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Yamauchi, Keiko; Katayama, Tomomi; Yamauchi, Takahiro; Kotani, Kazuhiko; Tsuzaki, Kokoro; Takahashi, Kaoru; Sakane, Naoki

2014-11-24

The portion size of food is a determinant of energy intake, linking with obese traits. A healthy plate for portion control has recently been made in a Japanese style. The aim of the current study was to assess the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention program using the Japanese-style healthy plate on weight reduction in overweight and obese diabetic Japanese subjects. We randomized overweight and obese diabetic subjects (n = 19, 10 women) into an intervention group including educational classes on lifestyle modification incorporating the healthy plate (n = 10) or a waiting-list control group (n = 9). The intervention period was three months, and the educational classes using the healthy plate were conducted monthly in a group session for the intervention group. The body weight, blood glycemic and metabolic measures, and psychosocial variables were measured at the baseline and after the 3-month intervention in both groups. The impression of the intervention was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. There was one drop-out in the control group. No adverse events were reported in the groups. Subjects in the intervention group had a greater weight change from baseline to the end of the 3-month intervention period (-3.7 +/- 2.5 [SD] kg in the intervention group vs. -0.1 +/- 1.4 kg in the control group, P = 0.002). Most subjects recorded that the use of a healthy plate could be recommended to other people. The lifestyle intervention program using the Japanese-style healthy plate, which was developed for portion control, may effectively reduce body weight in overweight and obese diabetic subjects in Japan. Further studies are needed to establish the efficacy of this methodology on weight management.

The effects of instruction on French achievements in the sciences and technology on qualitative measures of attitude and motivation in French classrooms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giudicelli Bachelder, Francoise Dominique

1997-09-01

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the element of motivation in a second language classroom. The participants in this study were college students who participated voluntarily. A questionnaire on motivation (AMTB) created by Robert Gardner (1985) was given to the students as a pre-test/post-test in order to obtain quantitative measures. Also, a researcher was present during the computer laboratory sessions and a group discussion was conducted at the end of the study to collect qualitative samples. Four classes consisting of a total of 143 students participated in this study. The second language was French and the level was 103, a level intended for students who already had taken French in high school. French 103 reviews in one semester the material that is covered by students in French 101 and French 102 during two semesters. The four classes were divided into two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The study was conducted in a computer laboratory, where each of the four classes attended once a week. The experiment was conducted over an eight-week period at the beginning of the Spring semester 1997, from January 14 to March 4. Both classes from the control group, one arriving at 9:30 a.m. and the other at 1:30 p.m., were exposed to regular classroom material; nothing was done to modify the procedure of the classes' activities. The two experimental classes, one at 8:30 a.m. and the other at 11:30 a.m., both received a treatment of ten minutes at the end of the computer class period. The statistical results of the study did not support the hypothesis that the use of a different cultural input would increase the students' motivation, but the qualitative part of the study provided a fountain of information. Information which demanded reflection. Information which contributed to my personal development as a researcher, as an observer, and, most importantly, as a teacher.

Long-term effects of self-control on alcohol use and sexual behavior among urban minority young women.

PubMed

Griffin, Kenneth W; Scheier, Lawrence M; Acevedo, Bianca; Grenard, Jerry L; Botvin, Gilbert J

2012-01-01

High risk alcohol use and sexual behaviors peak in young adulthood and often occur in the same individuals. Alcohol use has been found to impair decision-making and contribute to high risk sexual activity. However, the association between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior may also reflect enduring individual differences in risk taking, sociability, self-control, and related variables. Both behaviors can serve similar functions related to recreation, interpersonal connection, and the pursuit of excitement or pleasure. The present study examined the extent to which high risk drinking and sexual behavior clustered together in a sample of urban minority young adult women, a demographic group at elevated risk for negative outcomes related to sexual health. We tested whether psychosocial functioning measured at the beginning of high school predicted classes of risk behaviors when girls were tracked longitudinally into young adulthood. Latent class analysis indicated three distinct profiles based on high risk drinking and sexual behavior (i.e., multiple sex partners) in young adulthood. The largest class (73% of the sample) reported low levels of risky drinking and sexual behavior. The next largest class (19%) reported high risk drinking and low risk sexual behavior, and the smallest class (8%) reported high levels of both behaviors. Compared to women from other racial/ethnic groups, black women were more likely to be categorized in the high risk drinking/low risk sex class. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that self-control in adolescence had a broad and enduring protective effect on risk behaviors eight years later and was associated with a greater probability of being in the low risk drinking/low risk sex class. Findings are discussed in terms of understanding the phenotypic expressions of risk behavior as they relate to early psychosocial development and the long-term protective function of self-control in reducing high risk drinking and sexual behaviors.

Long-Term Effects of Self-Control on Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior among Urban Minority Young Women

PubMed Central

Griffin, Kenneth W.; Scheier, Lawrence M.; Acevedo, Bianca; Grenard, Jerry L.; Botvin, Gilbert J.

2011-01-01

High risk alcohol use and sexual behaviors peak in young adulthood and often occur in the same individuals. Alcohol use has been found to impair decision-making and contribute to high risk sexual activity. However, the association between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior may also reflect enduring individual differences in risk taking, sociability, self-control, and related variables. Both behaviors can serve similar functions related to recreation, interpersonal connection, and the pursuit of excitement or pleasure. The present study examined the extent to which high risk drinking and sexual behavior clustered together in a sample of urban minority young adult women, a demographic group at elevated risk for negative outcomes related to sexual health. We tested whether psychosocial functioning measured at the beginning of high school predicted classes of risk behaviors when girls were tracked longitudinally into young adulthood. Latent class analysis indicated three distinct profiles based on high risk drinking and sexual behavior (i.e., multiple sex partners) in young adulthood. The largest class (73% of the sample) reported low levels of risky drinking and sexual behavior. The next largest class (19%) reported high risk drinking and low risk sexual behavior, and the smallest class (8%) reported high levels of both behaviors. Compared to women from other racial/ethnic groups, black women were more likely to be categorized in the high risk drinking/low risk sex class. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that self-control in adolescence had a broad and enduring protective effect on risk behaviors eight years later and was associated with a greater probability of being in the low risk drinking/low risk sex class. Findings are discussed in terms of understanding the phenotypic expressions of risk behavior as they relate to early psychosocial development and the long-term protective function of self-control in reducing high risk drinking and sexual behaviors. PMID:22470274

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN CLASS STRUCTURE: WORKPLACE OWNERSHIP AND AUTHORITY RELATIONS FROM 1972 TO 2010

PubMed Central

Wodtke, Geoffrey T.

2016-01-01

This study investigates changes in the American class structure—defined in terms of workplace ownership and authority relations—and trends in status group disparities in class attainment from 1972 to 2010. Although theory and prior research suggest a variety of appreciable changes in class structure and class attainment, data from the General Social Survey indicate that the sizes of different classes remained fairly stable during this time period and that status group disparities in access to ownership and authority persisted largely intact. The 1970s witnessed a decline in the proportion of workers and growth in the proportion of managers and proprietors, but these trends reversed in the 1980s. As a result, by the late 2000s, the ownership and authority structure of the U.S. economy closely resembled that of the early 1970s. Racial and gender disparities in class attainment also did not change significantly over time: blacks and women remained underrepresented (relative to whites and men) in positions of ownership and authority throughout this period. Even after controlling for an extensive set of human capital characteristics, family constraints, and structural economic factors, there is little evidence of status group integration across these key dimensions of economic power. PMID:27134335

CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN CLASS STRUCTURE: WORKPLACE OWNERSHIP AND AUTHORITY RELATIONS FROM 1972 TO 2010.

PubMed

Wodtke, Geoffrey T

2015-12-01

This study investigates changes in the American class structure-defined in terms of workplace ownership and authority relations-and trends in status group disparities in class attainment from 1972 to 2010. Although theory and prior research suggest a variety of appreciable changes in class structure and class attainment, data from the General Social Survey indicate that the sizes of different classes remained fairly stable during this time period and that status group disparities in access to ownership and authority persisted largely intact. The 1970s witnessed a decline in the proportion of workers and growth in the proportion of managers and proprietors, but these trends reversed in the 1980s. As a result, by the late 2000s, the ownership and authority structure of the U.S. economy closely resembled that of the early 1970s. Racial and gender disparities in class attainment also did not change significantly over time: blacks and women remained underrepresented (relative to whites and men) in positions of ownership and authority throughout this period. Even after controlling for an extensive set of human capital characteristics, family constraints, and structural economic factors, there is little evidence of status group integration across these key dimensions of economic power.

Effects of dance on anxiety.

PubMed

Lesté, A; Rust, J

1984-06-01

The study investigated the effects of modern dance on anxiety. State anxiety was assessed before and after a 3-mo. education programme, using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The target group followed a class in modern dance. Control groups were (1) a physical education group to control for the effects of exercise, (2) a music group to control for aesthetic sensitivity training, and (3) a mathematics group. Several concomitant variables were measured: age, sex, attitude towards dance, and previous experience in sport, dance, and relaxation. Dance training significantly reduced anxiety, but no control activities did so. Examination of the concomitant variables showed that the result could not be accounted for by any obvious artifacts.

In Search of Teen Dating Violence Typologies.

PubMed

Reidy, Dennis E; Ball, Barbara; Houry, Debra; Holland, Kristin M; Valle, Linda A; Kearns, Megan C; Marshall, Khiya J; Rosenbluth, Barri

2016-02-01

The goal of the present research was to identify distinct latent classes of adolescents that commit teen dating violence (TDV) and assess differences on demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal correlates. Boys and girls (N = 1,149; Mage = 14.3; Grades 6-12) with a history of violence exposure completed surveys assessing six indices of TDV in the preceding 3 months. Indices of TDV included controlling behaviors, psychological TDV, physical TDV, sexual TDV, fear/intimidation, and injury. In addition, adolescents provided demographic and dating history information and completed surveys assessing attitudes condoning violence, relationship skills and knowledge, and reactive/proactive aggression. Latent class analysis indicated a three-class solution wherein the largest class of students was nonviolent on all indices ("nonaggressors") and the smallest class of students demonstrated high probability of nearly all indices of TDV ("multiform aggressors"). In addition, a third class of "emotional aggressors" existed for which there was a high probability of controlling and psychological TDV but low likelihood of any other form of TDV. Multiform aggressors were differentiated from emotional and nonaggressors on the use of self-defense in dating relationships, attitudes condoning violence, and proactive aggression. Emotional aggressors were distinguished from nonaggressors on nearly all measured covariates. Evidence indicates that different subgroups of adolescents engaging in TDV exist. In particular, a small group of youth engaging in multiple forms of TDV can be distinguished from a larger group of youth that commit acts of TDV restricted to emotional aggression (i.e., controlling and psychological) and most youth that do not engage in TDV. Published by Elsevier Inc.

In Search of Teen Dating Violence Typologies

PubMed Central

Reidy, Dennis E.; Ball, Barbara; Houry, Debra; Holland, Kristin M.; Valle, Linda A.; Kearns, Megan C.; Marshall, Khiya J.; Rosenbluth, Barri

2018-01-01

Purpose The goal of the present research was to identify distinct latent classes of adolescents that commit teen dating violence (TDV) and assess differences on demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal correlates. Methods Boys and girls (N = 1,149; Mage = 14.3; Grades 6–12) with a history of violence exposure completed surveys assessing six indices of TDV in the preceding 3 months. Indices of TDV included controlling behaviors, psychological TDV, physical TDV, sexual TDV, fear/intimidation, and injury. In addition, adolescents provided demographic and dating history information and completed surveys assessing attitudes condoning violence, relationship skills and knowledge, and reactive/proactive aggression. Results Latent class analysis indicated a three-class solution wherein the largest class of students was nonviolent on all indices (“nonaggressors”) and the smallest class of students demonstrated high probability of nearly all indices of TDV (“multiform aggressors”). In addition, a third class of “emotional aggressors” existed for which there was a high probability of controlling and psychological TDV but low likelihood of any other form of TDV. Multiform aggressors were differentiated from emotional and nonaggressors on the use of self-defense in dating relationships, attitudes condoning violence, and proactive aggression. Emotional aggressors were distinguished from nonaggressors on nearly all measured covariates. Conclusions Evidence indicates that different subgroups of adolescents engaging in TDV exist. In particular, a small group of youth engaging in multiple forms of TDV can be distinguished from a larger group of youth that commit acts of TDV restricted to emotional aggression (i.e., controlling and psychological) and most youth that do not engage in TDV. PMID:26683984

Treatment effects produced by the Twin-block appliance vs the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device in growing Class II patients.

PubMed

Giuntini, Veronica; Vangelisti, Andrea; Masucci, Caterina; Defraia, Efisio; McNamara, James A; Franchi, Lorenzo

2015-09-01

To compare the dentoskeletal changes produced by the Twin-block appliance (TB) followed by fixed appliances vs the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) in combination with fixed appliances in growing patients having Class II division 1 malocclusion. Twenty-eight Class II patients (19 females and 9 males; mean age, 12.4 years) treated consecutively with the TB followed by fixed appliances were compared with a group of 36 patients (16 females and 20 males; mean age, 12.3 years) treated consecutively with the FRD in combination with fixed appliances and with a sample of 27 subjects having untreated Class II malocclusion (13 females and 14 males; mean age, 12.2 years). Mean observation interval was 2.3 years in all groups. Cephalometric changes were compared among the three groups by means of ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. The FRD produced a significant restraint of the maxilla compared with the TB and control samples (SNA, -1.1° and -1.8°, respectively). The TB sample exhibited significantly greater mandibular advancement and greater increments in total mandibular length than either the FRD or control groups (SNB, 1.9° and 1.5°, respectively; and Co-Gn, 2.0 mm and 3.4 mm, respectively). The FRD produced a significantly greater amount of proclination of the mandibular incisors than what occurred with the TB or the control samples (2.9° and 5.6°, respectively). The TB appliance produced greater skeletal effects in terms of mandibular advancement and growth stimulation while the Forsus caused significant proclination of the mandibular incisors.

A randomized pilot study of optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in sinus rhythm patients using a peak endocardial acceleration sensor vs. standard methods.

PubMed

Ritter, Philippe; Delnoy, Peter Paul H M; Padeletti, Luigi; Lunati, Maurizio; Naegele, Herbert; Borri-Brunetto, Alberto; Silvestre, Jorge

2012-09-01

Non-response rate to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) might be decreased by optimizing device programming. The Clinical Evaluation on Advanced Resynchronization (CLEAR) study aimed to assess the effects of CRT with automatically optimized atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delays, based on a Peak Endocardial Acceleration (PEA) signal system. This multicentre, single-blind study randomized patients in a 1 : 1 ratio to CRT optimized either automatically by the PEA-based system, or according to centres' usual practices, mostly by echocardiography. Patients had heart failure (HF) New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%, QRS duration >150 or >120 ms with mechanical dyssynchrony. Follow-up was 1 year. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who improved their condition at 1 year, based on a composite of all-cause death, HF hospitalizations, NYHA class, and quality of life. In all, 268 patients in sinus rhythm (63% men; mean age: 73.1 ± 9.9 years; mean NYHA: 3.0 ± 0.3; mean LVEF: 27.1 ± 8.1%; and mean QRS duration: 160.1 ± 22.0 ms) were included and 238 patients were randomized, 123 to PEA and 115 to the control group. At 1 year, 76% of patients assigned to PEA were classified as improved, vs. 62% in the control group (P= 0.0285). The percentage of patients with improved NYHA class was significantly (P= 0.0020) higher in the PEA group than in controls. Fatal and non-fatal adverse events were evenly distributed between the groups. PEA-based optimization of CRT in HF patients significantly increased the proportion of patients who improved with therapy, mainly through improved NYHA class, after 1 year of follow-up.

Natural science modules with SETS approach to improve students’ critical thinking ability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budi, A. P. S.; Sunarno, W.; Sugiyarto

2018-05-01

SETS (Science, Environment, Technology and Society) approach for learning is important to be developed for middle school, since it can improve students’ critical thinking ability. This research aimed to determine feasibility and the effectiveness of Natural Science Module with SETS approach to increase their critical thinking ability. The module development was done by invitation, exploration, explanation, concept fortifying, and assessment. Questionnaire and test performed including pretest and posttest with control group design were used as data collection technique in this research. Two classes were selected randomly as samples and consisted of 32 students in each group. Descriptive data analysis was used to analyze the module feasibility and t-test was used to analyze their critical thinking ability. The results showed that the feasibility of the module development has a very good results based on assessment of the experts, practitioners and peers. Based on the t-test results, there was significant difference between control class and experiment class (0.004), with n-gain score of control and the experiment class respectively 0.270 (low) and 0.470 (medium). It showed that the module was more effective than the textbook. It was able to improve students’ critical thinking ability and appropriate to be used in learning process.

Subliminal Self-Help Tapes and Academic Achievement: An Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russell, Tanya G.; And Others

1991-01-01

Investigated marketing claims of effectiveness in improving academic achievement through use of commercially prepared subliminal audiotapes in college students assigned to active treatment group (n=25), inactive treatment group (n=26), or control group (n=22). No treatment differences were found on final examination scores from class and current…

Changes in anteroposterior position and inclination of the maxillary incisors after surgical-orthodontic treatment of skeletal class III malocclusions.

PubMed

Zou, Bingshuang; Zhou, Yang; Lowe, Alan A; Li, Huiqi; Pliska, Benjamin

2015-12-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the anteroposterior (AP) position and inclination of the maxillary incisors in subjects with class I normal occlusion and a harmonious profile with patients with skeletal class III malocclusions, and to investigate the changes in maxillary incisor inclination and AP position after surgical-orthodontic treatment in class III patients. Sixty-five subjects (35 female and 30 male; mean age: 21.8 ± 3.89 years) with normal profiles and class I skeletal and dental patterns were selected as a control sample. Sixty-seven patients (38 female and 29 male; mean age: 21.3 ± 3.31 years) with skeletal and dental class III malocclusions who sought surgical-orthodontic treatment were used as the study sample. Subjects were asked to smile and profile photographs were taken with the head in a natural position and the maxillary central incisors and the forehead in full view; cephalograms were taken and superimposed on the profile pictures according to the outline of the forehead and nose. Forehead inclination, maxillary incisor facial inclination and the AP position of the maxillary central incisor relative to the forehead (FAFFA) were measured on the integrated images and statistical analyses were performed. In both groups, there were no significant male/female differences in either the maxillary central incisor inclination or AP position. Female subjects had a significantly steeper forehead inclination compared with males (P < 0.001) in both groups. After combined surgical-orthodontic treatment, the significant labial inclination (P < 0.001) and posterior positioning (P < 0.001) of the maxillary central incisors had been corrected to close to normal range (P > 0.05). In the control group, 84.6% had the facial axial point (FA) of their maxillary central incisors positioned between lines through the forehead facial axis (FFA) point and the glabella. In the study group, however, 79.1% had the maxillary central incisors positioned posterior to the line through the FFA point and the difference with the control group was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The position of the maxillary central incisors was strongly correlated with forehead inclination in the control sample (r(2) = 0.456; P < 0.01), but only a poor correlation was detected in the class III group (r(2) = 0.177; P > 0.05). With the integrated radiograph-photograph method, the lateral cephalogram was reoriented, which makes it possible to accurately measure the variables on profile photographs. The AP position and inclination of the maxillary central incisors relative to the forehead plays an important role in the esthetics of the profile during smiling and could be an important variable to be considered during diagnosis and treatment planning. Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Severe sunburn and subsequent risk of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma in scotland.

PubMed Central

MacKie, R. M.; Aitchison, T.

1982-01-01

A case-control study of occupational and recreational sun exposure, Mediterranean and other sun-exposed holidays, tanning history and history of isolated episodes of severe sunburn has been carried out on 113 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma and 113 age- and sex-matched controls. Social class and skin type were also considered in the analysis of the data which involved the use of conditional multiple logistic regression. A highly significant increase in the history of severe sunburn was recorded in melanoma patients of both sexes in the 5-year period preceding presentation with their tumour. Higher social class and negative history of recreational sun exposure were also significantly increased in patients by comparison with controls. In the male group severe sunburn, lack of occupational sun exposure and higher social class were significant factors while in the female group only severe sunburn was significantly increased in the melanoma patients. This study thus provides evidence to suggest that short intense episodes of UV exposure resulting in burning may be one of the aetiological factors involved in subsequent development of melanoma. PMID:7150488

Effects of pulp capping materials on fracture resistance of Class II composite restorations

PubMed Central

Kucukyilmaz, Ebru; Yasa, Bilal; Akcay, Merve; Savas, Selcuk; Kavrik, Fevzi

2015-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cavity design and the type of pulp capping materials on the fracture resistance of Class II composite restorations. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted, sound molar teeth were selected for the study. A dovetail cavity on the mesio-occlusal and a slot cavity on disto-occlusal surfaces of each tooth were prepared, and the teeth were divided 4 groups which one of them as a control group. The pulp capping materials (TheraCal LC, Calcimol LC, Dycal) applied on pulpo-axial wall of each cavity, and the restoration was completed with composite resin. The teeth were subjected to a compressive load in a universal mechanical testing machine. The surfaces of the tooth and restoration were examined under a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed using factorial analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Results: For pulp capping materials, the highest fracture load (931.15 ± 203.81 N) and the lowest fracture load (832.28 ± 245.75 N) were calculated for Control and Dycal group, respectively. However, there were no statistically significant differences among all groups (P > 0.05). The fracture load of the dovetail groups was significantly higher than those of the slot cavity groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dovetail cavity design shows better fracture resistance in Class II composite restorations, independent of used or not used pulp capping materials. PMID:26038653

Comparison between Herbst appliances with or without miniscrew anchorage

PubMed Central

Manni, Antonio; Pasini, Marco; Mauro, Cozzani

2012-01-01

Background: Herbst appliance is largely used in orthodontics for the correction of Class II. The aim of this paper was to analyze dental and skeletal effects of a splints Herbst-miniscrews combined device in comparison to a mandibular splints Herbst appliance. Materials and Methods: Fifty Class II division 1 patients (27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 11.8 ± 1.7 years) were included in the study. Lateral headfilms of 25 patients with a mandibular resin splint and a miniscrew anchorage (test group) and of 25 patients with mandibular acrylic resin splints (control group) were analyzed before (T0) and after (T1) the Herbst treatment. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of each variable were calculated; paired t-test was used to evaluate statistical changes before and after the treatment, in each group and Student t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results: Significant differences were observed for P < 0.05. At the end of the Herbst treatment, mandibular incisor proclination was significantly lower in the test group (2.8°) in comparison to the control group (7.4°). Conclusions: The miniscrew-Herbst system, described in the present study, allows correction of Class II malocclusion, with a lower anchorage loss, in form of mandibular incisor proclination, during the treatment, in comparison to mandibular acrylic splints Herbst. PMID:23814587

A cephalometric comparative study of class II correction with Sabbagh Universal Spring (SUS2) and Forsus FRD appliances

PubMed Central

Oztoprak, Mehmet Oguz; Nalbantgil, Didem; Uyanlar, Ayhan; Arun, Tulin

2012-01-01

Objective The purpose of this clinical prospective study was to compare the dentofacial changes produced by the Sabbagh Universal Spring (SUS2) and Forsus FRD appliances in late adolescent patients with Class II malocclusion, and quantify them in comparison with an untreated group. Method: The study was carried out on 59 patients with skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion due to retrognatic mandible. Among these, 20 were treated with SUS2, 20 were treated with FRD, and no treatment was done to 19 subjects as the control group. 36 cephalometric landmarks were identified on each lateral cephalometric radiograph. Results: The effects of both appliances were dentoalveolar and no significant vertical and sagittal skeletal effect on maxilla and mandible was achieved. The retrusion and extrusion of the maxillary incisors as well as the protrusion and intrusion of mandibular incisors were found to be statistically significant in both treatment groups. Soft tissue profile improvement was limited in both treatment groups. Conclusions: Both appliances corrected Class II discrepancies through dentoalveolar changes; however lower incisor proclination was more prominent with the Forsus FRD. PMID:22904659

A cephalometric comparative study of class II correction with Sabbagh Universal Spring (SUS(2)) and Forsus FRD appliances.

PubMed

Oztoprak, Mehmet Oguz; Nalbantgil, Didem; Uyanlar, Ayhan; Arun, Tulin

2012-07-01

The purpose of this clinical prospective study was to compare the dentofacial changes produced by the Sabbagh Universal Spring (SUS(2)) and Forsus FRD appliances in late adolescent patients with Class II malocclusion, and quantify them in comparison with an untreated group. The study was carried out on 59 patients with skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion due to retrognatic mandible. Among these, 20 were treated with SUS(2), 20 were treated with FRD, and no treatment was done to 19 subjects as the control group. 36 cephalometric landmarks were identified on each lateral cephalometric radiograph. The effects of both appliances were dentoalveolar and no significant vertical and sagittal skeletal effect on maxilla and mandible was achieved. The retrusion and extrusion of the maxillary incisors as well as the protrusion and intrusion of mandibular incisors were found to be statistically significant in both treatment groups. Soft tissue profile improvement was limited in both treatment groups. Both appliances corrected Class II discrepancies through dentoalveolar changes; however lower incisor proclination was more prominent with the Forsus FRD.

Primary biliary cirrhosis degree assessment by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and hepatic fibrosis indicators.

PubMed

Zhang, Hai-Chun; Hu, Rong-Fei; Zhu, Ting; Tong, Ling; Zhang, Qiu-Qin

2016-06-14

To evaluate the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis degree by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) and hepatic fibrosis indicators. One hundred and twenty patients who developed liver cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis were selected as the observation group, with the degree of patient liver cirrhosis graded by Child-Pugh (CP) score. Sixty healthy individuals were selected as the control group. The four indicators of hepatic fibrosis were detected in all research objects, including hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III collagen (PC III), and type IV collagen (IV-C). The liver parenchyma hardness value (LS) was then measured by ARFI technique. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis (HA, LN, PC III, and IV-C) were observed in different grade CP scores. The diagnostic value of LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis in determining liver cirrhosis degree with PBC, whether used alone or in combination, were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis within the three classes (A, B, and C) of CP scores in the observation group were higher than in the control group, with C class > B class > A class; the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although AUC values of LS within the three classes of CP scores were higher than in the four indicators of liver fibrosis, sensitivity and specificity were unstable. The ROC curves of LS combined with the four indicators of liver fibrosis revealed that: AUC and sensitivity in all indicators combined in the A class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, albeit with slightly decreased specificity; AUC and specificity in all indicators combined in the B class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, with unchanged sensitivity; AUC values (0.967), sensitivity (97.4%), and specificity (90%) of all indicators combined in the C class of CP score were higher than in LS alone (0.936, 92.1%, 83.3%). The diagnostic value of PBC cirrhosis degree in liver cirrhosis degree assessment by ARFI combined with the four indicators of serum liver fibrosis is of satisfactory effectiveness and has important clinical application value.

Promoting Students' Problem Solving Skills and Knowledge of STEM Concepts in a Data-Rich Learning Environment: Using Online Data as a Tool for Teaching about Renewable Energy Technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thurmond, Brandi

This study sought to compare a data-rich learning (DRL) environment that utilized online data as a tool for teaching about renewable energy technologies (RET) to a lecture-based learning environment to determine the impact of the learning environment on students' knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts related to renewable energy technologies and students' problem solving skills. Two purposefully selected Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science teachers were included in the study. Each teacher taught one class about RET in a lecture-based environment (control) and another class in a DRL environment (treatment), for a total of four classes of students (n=128). This study utilized a quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest, control-group design. The initial hypothesis that the treatment group would have a significant gain in knowledge of STEM concepts related to RET and be better able to solve problems when compared to the control group was not supported by the data. Although students in the DRL environment had a significant gain in knowledge after instruction, posttest score comparisons of the control and treatment groups revealed no significant differences between the groups. Further, no significant differences were noted in students' problem solving abilities as measured by scores on a problem-based activity and self-reported abilities on a reflective questionnaire. This suggests that the DRL environment is at least as effective as the lecture-based learning environment in teaching AP Environmental Science students about RET and fostering the development of problem solving skills. As this was a small scale study, further research is needed to provide information about effectiveness of DRL environments in promoting students' knowledge of STEM concepts and problem-solving skills.

Comparison of Forsus FRD EZ and Andresen activator in the treatment of class II, division 1 malocclusions.

PubMed

Bilgiç, Fundagül; Başaran, Güvenç; Hamamci, Orhan

2015-03-01

Purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Forsus Fatigue-Resistant Device (FRD) EZ and Andresen activator in terms of skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes in actively growing patients presenting with class II, division 1 malocclusion. Study sample included 60 subjects. Inclusion criteria were as follows: class II division 1 malocclusion, retrognathic mandible, normal or low-angle growth pattern, and peak growth period. The first study group consisted of 20 patients who were treated with Forsus appliance, and the second group of 20 patients received treatment with Andresen activator. Control group received no treatment. Our results revealed that both appliances enhanced mandibular growth, helped increase the length of the mandible, and had a restraining growth effect on the maxilla. Anterior face height increased in both of treatment groups, whereas posterior face height had a significant increase in the activator group only. More mandibular incisors protrusion and intrusion were seen with the Forsus appliance. Moreover, occlusal plane and palatal plane rotated significantly in clockwise direction as a result of dentoalveolar changes only in the Forsus group. As well as the Forsus appliances corrected class II discrepancies mostly through dentoalveolar changes as compared to the activator group, both appliances proved effective in the treatment of growing individuals having class II malocclusions with mandibular retrognathia. By this investigation, two treatment methods, which are currently used in clinical practice, will be evaluated, and the results will be useful for clinicians.

Outcome of bipolar electrocoagulation with lesionectomy in the treatment of epilepsy involving eloquent areas.

PubMed

Zhai, Feng; Zhou, Jian; Li, Tianfu; Cui, Zhiqiang; Luan, Guoming

2015-01-01

We have demonstrated previously that bipolar electrocoagulation on functional cortex (BCFC) is a safe and effective approach for epilepsy involving eloquent areas. Here, we report the results of BCFC with lesionectomy for patients with epileptogenic foci partially overlapping eloquent areas. Forty patients who had been treated with lesionectomy with BCFC were retrospectively reviewed with regard to seizure outcome and neurological deficits. Ten similar patients who had received lesionectomy with multiple subpial transections (MST) were examined as a control group. In the lesionectomy group with BCFC, Engel class I was achieved in 18 (45%) patients, class II in 8 (20%) patients, class III in 8 (20%) patients and class IV in 6 (15%) patients. Five (12.5%) patients developed mild hemiparesis and 1 (2.5%) patient mild sensory dysphasia. In the lesionectomy group with MST, Engel class I was achieved in 3 (30%) patients, class II in 2 (20%) patients, class III in 3 (30%) patients and class IV in 2 (20%) patients. Two (20%) patients developed mild hemiparesis and 1 (10%) patient moderate hemiparesis. All these complications recovered within 1-12 months. Compared with MST, the outcome of BCFC with lesionectomy is similar. But since MST leads to mechanical injury, while BCFC causes thermal injury, the complications of BCFC seem less severe. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Comparison between an Acrylic Splint Herbst and an Acrylic Splint Miniscrew-Herbst for Mandibular Incisors Proclination Control

PubMed Central

Manni, Antonio; Pasini, Marco; Nuzzo, Claudio; Grassi, Felice Roberto

2014-01-01

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare dental and skeletal effects produced by an acrylic splint Herbst with and without skeletal anchorage for correction of dental class II malocclusion. Methods. The test group was formed by 14 patients that were treated with an acrylic splint miniscrew-Herbst; miniscrews were placed between mandibular second premolars and first molars; controls also consisted of 14 subjects that were treated with an acrylic splint Herbst and no miniscrews. Cephalometric measurements before and after Herbst treatment were compared. The value of α for significance was set at 0.05. Results. All subjects from both groups were successfully treated to a bilateral Class I relationship; mean treatment time was 8,1 months in the test group and 7.8 in the controls. Several variables did not have a statistical significant difference between the two groups. Some of the variables, instead, presented a significant difference such as incisor flaring, mandibular bone base position, and skeletal discrepancy. Conclusions. This study showed that the Herbst appliance associated to miniscrews allowed a better control of the incisor flaring with a greater mandibular skeletal effect. PMID:24963293

Effectiveness evaluation of a health promotion programme in primary schools: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Grillich, Ludwig; Kien, Christina; Takuya, Yanagida; Weber, Michael; Gartlehner, Gerald

2016-07-30

Programmes based on the World Health Organization's Health Promoting Schools framework (HPS) have been implemented in several countries but for evidence-based policy-making more research is required to determine the effectiveness of the HPS approach. We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial. The units of randomisation were primary school classes recruited in May 2010. Eligible participants were Year 3 primary school classes in Lower Austria that had not participated in a similar programme during the last two years. After baseline assessment in September 2010, 53 classes from 45 primary schools in Lower Austria were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 26 classes, 432 children) or waiting control arm (n = 27 classes, 493 children aged 8.7 years +/- 4 months). Over the course of 1.5 academic years, participating teachers received on-the-job training (20 h) and two workshops (8 h) to promote health related behaviour in students such as physical activity during the school day and to improve the quality of regular physical education classes. We assessed 15 outcomes grouped into five categories: Emotional and Social Experience in School, Physical Activity, Well-being, and Attention Performance measured by validated and standardised questionnaire and Motor Skills measured by validated and standardised motoric and coordination tests in the school gym. The primary outcome was Classroom Climate and part of the outcomecategory Emotional and Social Experience in School. The final assessment took place in April 2012. All assessors were blinded to the allocation of classes. Multilevel growth modelling was used to investigate programme effectiveness. We could not detect any statistically significant differences between groups for the outcomecategories Emotional and Social Experience in school (p = 0.22 to 0.78), Physical Activity, Well-being, and Attention Performance. Significant differences between groups were limited to the outcomecategory Motor Skills (Complex Reaction Ability, Spatial Orientation Skills, Coordination with Precision) which were higher in the intervention group (P < .05). Despite small statistically significant differences in Motor Skills, our study could not detect any clinically relevant improvements in the Emotional and Social Experience at School (including the primary outcome ClassroomClimate), Physical Activity, Well-being, Motor Skills and Attention Performance of students. German register of clinical studies: DRKS00000622 . Retrospectively registered: 03.12.2010. Approved by the Ethics Committee of Lower Austria (GS4-EK-4/107-2010).

Capitalists, managers, professionals and mortality: findings from the Barcelona social class and all cause mortality longitudinal study.

PubMed

Muntaner, Carles; Borrell, Carme; Solà, Judit; Marì-Dell'olmo, Marc; Chung, Haejoo; Rodríguez-Sanz, Maica; Benach, Joan; Noh, Samuel

2009-11-01

To examine the effects of Neo-Marxian social class (i.e. measured as relations of control over productive assets) and potential mediators such as labour-market position, work organization, material deprivation and health behaviours upon mortality in Barcelona, Spain. Longitudinal data from the Barcelona 2000 Health Interview Survey (n = 7526) with follow-up interviews through the municipal census in 2008 (95.97% response rate) were used. Using data on relations of property, organizational power, and education, social classes were grouped according to Wright's scheme: capitalists, petit bourgeoisie, managers, supervisors, and skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. Social class, measured as relations of control over productive assets, is an important predictor of mortality among working-class positions for men but not for women. Workers (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.10-2.35), managers and small employers had a higher risk of death than capitalists. The extensive use of conventional gradient measures of social stratification has neglected sociological measurements of social class conceptualized as relations of control over productive assets. This concept is capable of explaining how social inequalities are generated. To confirm the protective effect of the capitalist class position and the ''contradictory class location hypothesis'', additional efforts are needed to properly measure class among low-level supervisors, capitalists, managers, and small employers.

The Effect of STEM Learning through the Project of Designing Boat Model toward Student STEM Literacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tati, T.; Firman, H.; Riandi, R.

2017-09-01

STEM Learning focusses on development of STEM-literate society, the research about implementation of STEM learning to develope students’ STEM literacy is still limited. This study is aimed to examine the effect of implementation STEM learning through the project of designing boat model on students STEM literacy in energy topic. The method of this study was a quasi-experiment with non-randomized pretest-posttest control group design. There were two classes involved, the experiment class used Project Based Learning with STEM approach and control class used Project-Based Learning without STEM approach. A STEM Literacy test instrument was developed to measure students STEM literacy which consists of science literacy, mathematics literacy, and technology-engineering literacy. The analysis showed that there were significant differences on improvement science literacy, mathematics technology-engineering between experiment class and control class with effect size more than 0.8 (large effect). The difference of improvement of STEM literacy between experiment class and control class is caused by the existence of design engineering activity which required students to apply the knowledge from every field of STEM. The challenge that was faced in STEM learning through design engineering activity was how to give the students practice to integrate STEM field in solving the problems. In additional, most of the students gave positive response toward implementation of STEM learning through design boat model project.

Case–control study of paternal occupation and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain, 1962–2006

PubMed Central

Keegan, T J; Bunch, K J; Vincent, T J; King, J C; O'Neill, K A; Kendall, G M; MacCarthy, A; Fear, N T; MFG, Murphy

2012-01-01

Background: Paternal occupational exposures have been proposed as a risk factor for childhood leukaemia. This study investigates possible associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain. Methods: The National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided all cases of childhood leukaemia born and diagnosed in Great Britain between 1962 and 2006. Controls were matched on sex, period of birth and birth registration subdistrict. Fathers' occupations were assigned to 1 or more of 33 exposure groups. Social class was derived from father's occupation at the time of the child's birth. Results: A total of 16 764 cases of childhood leukaemia were ascertained. One exposure group, paternal social contact, was associated with total childhood leukaemia (odds ratio 1.14, 1.05–1.23); this association remained significant when adjusted for social class. The subtypes lymphoid leukaemia (LL) and acute myeloid leukaemia showed increased risk with paternal exposure to social contact before adjustment for social class. Risk of other leukaemias was significantly increased by exposure to electromagnetic fields, persisting after adjustment for social class. For total leukaemia, the risks for exposure to lead and exhaust fumes were significantly <1. Occupationally derived social class was associated with risk of LL, with the risk being increased in the higher social classes. Conclusion: Our results showed some support for a positive association between childhood leukaemia risk and paternal occupation involving social contact. Additionally, LL risk increased with higher paternal occupational social class. PMID:22968649

Friend or Foe? Flipped Classroom for Undergraduate Electrocardiogram Learning: a Randomized Controlled Study.

PubMed

Rui, Zeng; Lian-Rui, Xiang; Rong-Zheng, Yue; Jing, Zeng; Xue-Hong, Wan; Chuan, Zuo

2017-03-07

Interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) is not only one of the most important parts of clinical diagnostics but also one of the most difficult topics to teach and learn. In order to enable medical students to master ECG interpretation skills in a limited teaching period, the flipped teaching method has been recommended by previous research to improve teaching effect on undergraduate ECG learning. A randomized controlled trial for ECG learning was conducted, involving 181 junior-year medical undergraduates using a flipped classroom as an experimental intervention, compared with Lecture-Based Learning (LBL) as a control group. All participants took an examination one week after the intervention by analysing 20 ECGs from actual clinical cases and submitting their ECG reports. A self-administered questionnaire was also used to evaluate the students' attitudes, total learning time, and conditions under each teaching method. The students in the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group (8.72 ± 1.01 vs 8.03 ± 1.01, t = 4.549, P = 0.000) on ECG interpretation. The vast majority of the students in the flipped classroom group held positive attitudes toward the flipped classroom method and also supported LBL. There was no significant difference (4.07 ± 0.96 vs 4.16 ± 0.89, Z = - 0.948, P = 0.343) between the groups. Prior to class, the students in the flipped class group devoted significantly more time than those in the control group (42.33 ± 22.19 vs 30.55 ± 10.15, t = 4.586, P = 0.000), whereas after class, the time spent by the two groups were not significantly different (56.50 ± 46.80 vs 54.62 ± 31.77, t = 0.317, P = 0.752). Flipped classroom teaching can improve medical students' interest in learning and their self-learning abilities. It is an effective teaching model that needs to be further studied and promoted.

Getting the balance right: a randomised controlled trial of physiotherapy and Exercise Interventions for ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Coote, Susan; Garrett, Maria; Hogan, Neasa; Larkin, Aidan; Saunders, Jean

2009-07-16

People with Multiple Sclerosis have a life long need for physiotherapy and exercise interventions due to the progressive nature of the disease and their greater risk of the complications of inactivity. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland run physiotherapy, yoga and exercise classes for their members, however there is little evidence to suggest which form of physical activity optimises outcome for people with the many and varied impairments associated with MS. This is a multi-centre, single blind, block randomised, controlled trial. Participants will be recruited via the ten regional offices of MS Ireland. Telephone screening will establish eligibility and stratification according to the mobility section of the Guys Neurological Disability Scale. Once a block of people of the same strand in the same geographical region have given consent, participants will be randomised. Strand A will concern individuals with MS who walk independently or use one stick to walk outside. Participants will be randomised to yoga, physiotherapy led exercise class, fitness instructor led exercise class or to a control group who don't change their exercise habits.Strand B will concern individuals with MS who walk with bilateral support or a rollator, they may use a wheelchair for longer distance outdoors. Participants will be randomised to 1:1 Physiotherapist led intervention, group intervention led by Physiotherapist, group yoga intervention or a control group who don't change their exercise habits. Participants will be assessed by physiotherapist who is blind to the group allocation at week 1, week 12 (following 10 weeks intervention or control), and at 12 week follow up. The primary outcome measure for both strands is the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale. Secondary outcomes are Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, 6 Minute Walk test, and muscle strength measured with hand held dynamometry. Strand B will also use Berg Balance Test and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Confounding variables such as sensation, coordination, proprioception, range of motion and other impairments will be recorded at initial assessment. Data analysis will analyse change in each group, and the differences between groups. Sub group analysis may be performed if sufficient numbers are recruited. ISRCTN77610415.

Comparison of the effectiveness of two styles of case-based learning implemented in lectures for developing nursing students' critical thinking ability: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hong, Shaohua; Yu, Ping

2017-03-01

To explore and compare the effectiveness of two styles of case-based learning methods, unfolding nursing case and usual nursing case, implemented in lectures for developing nursing students' critical thinking ability. 122 undergraduate nursing students in four classes were taught the subject of medical nursing for one year. Two classes were randomly assigned as the experimental group and the other two the control group. The experimental group received the lectures presenting unfolding nursing cases and the control group was taught the usual cases. Nineteen case-based lectures were provided in 8 months in two semesters to each group. The two groups started with a similar level of critical thinking ability as tested by the instrument of Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese version (CTDI-CV). After receiving 19 case-based learning lectures for 8 months, both groups of students significantly improved their critical thinking ability. The improvement in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (with the average total score of 303.77±15.24 vs. 288.34±13.94, p<0.05). The experimental group also had significantly better improvement in six out of seven dimensions whereas the control group showed improvement in only three out of seven dimensions of CTDI-CV. The study suggests the feasibility of implementing case-based learning in lectures. Unfolding nursing cases appear to be significantly more effective than the usual nursing cases in developing undergraduate nursing students' critical thinking ability in the subject of medical nursing. Further research can implement the unfolding nursing cases in other nursing subjects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Team-Based Learning on the Core Competencies of Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

PubMed

Lee, Kyung Eun

2018-04-01

An important goal of nursing education is helping students achieve core competencies efficiently. One proposed way of improving nursing education is team-based learning (TBL). The aim of this study was to assess the comparative effectiveness of TBL and lecture-style classes in terms of teaching core competencies in nursing education, which include clinical competence skills, problem-solving ability, communication competencies, critical thinking ability, and self-leadership. This quasi-experimental study enrolled 183 students as participants, with 95 and 88 in the experimental and control groups, respectively. These two groups attended 6 hours (2 hours weekly for 3 weeks) of TBL and lecture-style classes, respectively. Differences in core competencies between the two groups were compared before and after the intervention. The experimental group achieved significantly higher scores for clinical competence skills, communication competence, critical thinking ability, and self-leadership at posttest than at pretest, whereas the control group achieved significantly higher scores for clinical competence skills and critical thinking ability at posttest than at pretest. After the intervention, the experimental group had significantly better clinical competence skills, communication competence, and self-leadership than the control group. TBL is an effective approach method to teaching core competencies in nursing education.

Comparison of psychosocial status in treatment-seeking women with class III vs. class I-II obesity.

PubMed

Wadden, Thomas A; Butryn, Meghan L; Sarwer, David B; Fabricatore, Anthony N; Crerand, Canice E; Lipschutz, Patti E; Faulconbridge, Lucy; Raper, Steven; Williams, Noel N

2006-01-01

This study compared the psychosocial status and weight loss expectations of women with extreme (class III) obesity who sought bariatric surgery with those of women with class I-II obesity who enrolled in a research study on behavioral weight control. Before treatment, all participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory. This latter questionnaire assesses several domains including symptoms of depression and low self-esteem, history of psychiatric complications, current stressors, and weight loss expectations. Women with class III obesity, as compared with class I-II, reported significantly more symptoms of depression. Fully 25% of women in the former group appeared to have a significant mood disorder that would benefit from treatment. As compared with women with class I-II obesity, significantly more women with class III obesity also reported a history of psychiatric complications, which included physical and sexual abuse and greater stress related to their physical health and financial/legal matters. Both groups of women had unrealistic weight loss expectations. Those who sought surgery expected to lose 47.6 +/- 9.3% of initial weight, compared with 24.8 +/- 8.7% for those who enrolled in behavioral weight control. These findings suggest that women with extreme obesity who seek bariatric surgery should be screened for psychosocial complications. Those determined to have significant psychiatric distress should be referred for behavioral or pharmacological treatment to alleviate their suffering. Long-term studies are needed to provide definitive guidance concerning the relationship between preoperative psychopathology and the outcome of bariatric surgery.

In-group and role identity influences on the initiation and maintenance of students' voluntary attendance at peer study sessions for statistics.

PubMed

White, Katherine M; O'Connor, Erin L; Hamilton, Kyra

2011-06-01

Although class attendance is linked to academic performance, questions remain about what determines students' decisions to attend or miss class. In addition to the constructs of a common decision-making model, the theory of planned behaviour, the present study examined the influence of student role identity and university student (in-group) identification for predicting both the initiation and maintenance of students' attendance at voluntary peer-assisted study sessions in a statistics subject. University students enrolled in a statistics subject were invited to complete a questionnaire at two time points across the academic semester. A total of 79 university students completed questionnaires at the first data collection point, with 46 students completing the questionnaire at the second data collection point. Twice during the semester, students' attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, student role identity, in-group identification, and intention to attend study sessions were assessed via on-line questionnaires. Objective measures of class attendance records for each half-semester (or 'term') were obtained. Across both terms, students' attitudes predicted their attendance intentions, with intentions predicting class attendance. Earlier in the semester, in addition to perceived behavioural control, both student role identity and in-group identification predicted students' attendance intentions, with only role identity influencing intentions later in the semester. These findings highlight the possible chronology that different identity influences have in determining students' initial and maintained attendance at voluntary sessions designed to facilitate their learning. ©2010 The British Psychological Society.

Working on the Work Framework for Engagement: Impacting Students' Perceived Learning, Attitudes toward School, and Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forehand, Michael Joshua

2014-01-01

A quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test nonequivalent control group study was utilized to determine the difference in students' perceived learning, attitudes toward school, and achievement when participating in classes utilizing engagement design qualities as compared to students in classes not utilizing engagement design qualities. To inform the…

49 CFR 173.165 - Polyester resin kits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS Non-bulk Packaging for Hazardous Materials Other Than Class 1 and Class 7 § 173.165... Group II or III) and an activator component (Type D, E, or F organic peroxide that does not require temperature control)— (1) The organic peroxide component must be packed in inner packagings not over 125 mL (4...

Using an Animal Group Vigilance Practical Session to Give Learners a "Heads-Up" to Problems in Experimental Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rands, Sean A.

2011-01-01

The design of experimental ecological fieldwork is difficult to teach to classes, particularly when protocols for data collection are normally carefully controlled by the class organiser. Normally, reinforcement of the some problems of experimental design such as the avoidance of pseudoreplication and appropriate sampling techniques does not occur…

Netbooks in Sixth-Grade English Language Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Janet Mei-Chuen; Wu, Yi-Jiun

2010-01-01

As netbook computers are becoming an attractive option for K-12 educators, they have the potential to be a more integral part of language learning. In this study 45 sixth graders in two classes used netbooks to learn English as a second language. Forty-four students in two other classes served as the control group who received traditional…

Mobile-Based Video Learning Outcomes in Clinical Nursing Skill Education

PubMed Central

Lee, Nam-Ju; Chae, Sun-Mi; Kim, Haejin; Lee, Ji-Hye; Min, Hyojin Jennifer; Park, Da-Eun

2016-01-01

Mobile devices are a regular part of daily life among the younger generations. Thus, now is the time to apply mobile device use to nursing education. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a mobile-based video clip on learning motivation, competence, and class satisfaction in nursing students using a randomized controlled trial with a pretest and posttest design. A total of 71 nursing students participated in this study: 36 in the intervention group and 35 in the control group. A video clip of how to perform a urinary catheterization was developed, and the intervention group was able to download it to their own mobile devices for unlimited viewing throughout 1 week. All of the students participated in a practice laboratory to learn urinary catheterization and were blindly tested for their performance skills after participation in the laboratory. The intervention group showed significantly higher levels of learning motivation and class satisfaction than did the control. Of the fundamental nursing competencies, the intervention group was more confident in practicing catheterization than their counterparts. Our findings suggest that video clips using mobile devices are useful tools that educate student nurses on relevant clinical skills and improve learning outcomes. PMID:26389858

The role of visual representation in physics learning: dynamic versus static visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suyatna, Agus; Anggraini, Dian; Agustina, Dina; Widyastuti, Dini

2017-11-01

This study aims to examine the role of visual representation in physics learning and to compare the learning outcomes of using dynamic and static visualization media. The study was conducted using quasi-experiment with Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design. The samples of this research are students of six classes at State Senior High School in Lampung Province. The experimental class received a learning using dynamic visualization and control class using static visualization media. Both classes are given pre-test and post-test with the same instruments. Data were tested with N-gain analysis, normality test, homogeneity test and mean difference test. The results showed that there was a significant increase of mean (N-Gain) learning outcomes (p <0.05) in both experimental and control classes. The averages of students’ learning outcomes who are using dynamic visualization media are significantly higher than the class that obtains learning by using static visualization media. It can be seen from the characteristics of visual representation; each visualization provides different understanding support for the students. Dynamic visual media is more suitable for explaining material related to movement or describing a process, whereas static visual media is appropriately used for non-moving physical phenomena and requires long-term observation.

Evaluation of an audiological rehabilitation program for spouses of people with hearing loss.

PubMed

Preminger, Jill E; Meeks, Suzanne

2010-05-01

Since the psychosocial effects of hearing loss are different in the spouse (SP) than in the person with hearing loss (PHL), it seems reasonable that rehabilitation programs designed for PHLs may need to be adapted to benefit SPs. To evaluate the effectiveness of training in communication strategies and psychosocial exercises for SPs of PHLs by determining whether SPs who completed the group class had improved mood, reduced stress, improved marital communication, and greater awareness of their partners' hearing loss-related quality of life (HL-QOL) in comparison with SPs who did not participate in a group class. Additionally, to determine whether PHLs of SPs who participated in a group audiological rehabilitation (AR) class had significantly improved mood, reduced stress, improved marital communication, and better HL-QOL scores in comparison with PHLs whose SPs did not participate in a group class. A randomized controlled study. A total of 72 individuals participated in the study, 36 PHLs and 36 SPs. The PHLs were hearing aid users or cochlear implant users; the SPs had normal or near normal hearing. PHLs in the control group participated in a traditional group AR program while their SPs received no treatment. PHLs in the experimental group also participated in a traditional group AR program while their SPs participated in a treatment program designed for SPs of PHLs. Classes consisted of 90 min sessions meeting once a week for four weeks. All participants completed questionnaires measuring HL-QOL (the SPs filled out third-party reports of HL-QOL), stress, mood (positive affect and negative affect), and communication in the marriage. Scales were completed three times: prior to the AR program, within two weeks after completing the AR program, and 6 mo later. SP awareness of their PHL's HL-QOL was measured by comparing preclass and 6 mo scores with reported critical difference values. Preclass, postclass and 6 mo data were examined with repeated measures ANOVAs. All SPs reported significant improvements in third-party HL-QOL between the preclass and postclass visit. At the 6 mo visit, these reports remained consistent in the control SPs but declined in the experimental SPs. Awareness of HL-QOL in PHLs was improved in SPs who participated in AR classes and remained consistent in SPs who did not. All SPs demonstrated a trend (moderate effect sizes) for decreased stress and decreased negative affect after they and/or their partners completed the AR program. All PHLs demonstrated significant improvements in HL-QOL, significant reductions in stress, significant decreases in negative affect, and significant improvements in marital communication. There were no differences in outcome across the experimental and control PHLs. When PHLs participate in an AR program, they receive significant improvements in QOL (quality of life). Congruence (as defined by similar scores) between SP and PHL assessments of HL-QOL improved in the experimental group, suggesting that the principal impact of the AR program on SPs was improved understanding of PHL experiences with hearing loss. American Academy of Audiology.

Tri-city study of Ecstasy use problems: a latent class analysis.

PubMed

Scheier, Lawrence M; Ben Abdallah, Arbi; Inciardi, James A; Copeland, Jan; Cottler, Linda B

2008-12-01

This study used latent class analysis to examine distinctive subtypes of Ecstasy users based on 24 abuse and dependence symptoms underlying standard DSM-IV criteria. Data came from a three site, population-based, epidemiological study to examine diagnostic nosology for Ecstasy use. Subject inclusion criteria included lifetime Ecstasy use exceeding five times and once in the past year, with participants ranging in age between 16 and 47 years of age from St. Louis, Miami, U.S. and Sydney, Australia. A satisfactory model typified four latent classes representing clearly differentiated diagnostic clusters including: (1) a group of sub-threshold users endorsing few abuse and dependence symptoms (negatives), (2) a group of 'diagnostic orphans' who had characteristic features of dependence for a select group of symptoms (mild dependent), (3) a 'transitional group' mimicking the orphans with regard to their profile of dependence also but reporting some abuse symptoms (moderate dependent), and (4) a 'severe dependent' group with a distinct profile of abuse and dependence symptoms. A multinomial logistic regression model indicated that certain latent classes showed unique associations with external non-diagnostic markers. Controlling for demographic characteristics and lifetime quantity of Ecstasy pill use, criminal behavior and motivational cues for Ecstasy use were the most efficient predictors of cluster membership. This study reinforces the heuristic utility of DSM-IV criteria applied to Ecstasy but with a different collage of symptoms that produced four distinct classes of Ecstasy users.

Specific IgE in tear fluid and features of allergic conjunctivitis.

PubMed

Mimura, Tatsuya; Yamagami, Satoru; Kamei, Yuko; Goto, Mari; Matsubara, Masao

2013-09-01

The level of specific class E immunoglobulins (IgE) in tear fluid is a useful diagnostic indicator for allergic conjunctivitis, but it is still unclear whether the measurement of tear fluid IgE is helpful for assessing the severity of allergic conjunctivitis. In this study, we evaluated the relation between tear fluid levels of specific IgE and features of allergic conjunctivitis. A prospective, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with allergic conjunctivitis (n = 55, allergic group) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 50, control group). Levels of specific IgE for cedar pollen, cat epithelium/dander and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were measured in tear fluid with the Immfast Check J1®. A severity score (0, 1, 2 or 3) was assigned for various changes of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, as well as for limbal and corneal lesions. The levels of specific IgE for both cedar pollen, and D. pteronyssinus were significantly higher in the allergic group compared with the control group (p < 0.0001), while the level of specific IgE for cat epithelium/dander showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.0777). When IgE levels were divided into four classes, the classes for both D. Pteronyssinus and cat epithelium/dander IgE were correlated with four features of allergic conjunctivitis. On the other hand, no correlation was found between the class of cedar pollen IgE and any of the features of allergic conjunctivitis. This study demonstrated that measurement of specific IgE in tear fluid may be useful for determining the severity of allergic conjunctivitis induced by indoor allergens. Although measurement of IgE in tear fluid is only a supplemental tool for evaluating the clinical activity of allergic conjunctivitis, the test can be useful for detecting specific IgE antibodies responsible for this condition.

Two weeks of additional standing balance circuit classes during inpatient rehabilitation are cost saving and effective: an economic evaluation.

PubMed

Treacy, Daniel; Howard, Kirsten; Hayes, Alison; Hassett, Leanne; Schurr, Karl; Sherrington, Catherine

2018-01-01

Among people admitted for inpatient rehabilitation, is usual care plus standing balance circuit classes more cost-effective than usual care alone? Cost-effectiveness study embedded within a randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. 162 rehabilitation inpatients from a metropolitan hospital in Sydney, Australia. The experimental group received a 1-hour standing balance circuit class, delivered three times a week for 2 weeks, in addition to usual therapy. The circuit classes were supervised by one physiotherapist and one physiotherapy assistant for up to eight patients. The control group received usual therapy alone. Costs were estimated from routinely collected hospital use data in the 3 months after randomisation. The functional outcome measure was mobility measured at 3 months using the Short Physical Performance Battery administered by a blinded assessor. An incremental analysis was conducted and the joint probability distribution of costs and outcomes was examined using bootstrapping. The median cost savings for the intervention group was AUD4,741 (95% CI 137 to 9,372) per participant; 94% of bootstraps showed that the intervention was both effective and cost saving. Two weeks of additional standing balance circuit classes delivered in addition to usual therapy resulted in decreased healthcare costs at 3 months in hospital inpatients admitted for rehabilitation. There is a high probability that this intervention is both cost saving and effective. ACTRN12611000412932. [Treacy D, Howard K, Hayes A, Hassett L, Schurr K, Sherrington C (2018) Two weeks of additional standing balance circuit classes during inpatient rehabilitation are cost saving and effective: an economic evaluation. Journal of Physiotherapy 64: 41-47]. Copyright © 2017 Australian Physiotherapy Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 86.085-2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... designed for rebuild. Rated horsepower generally ranges from 170 to 250. Vehicle body types in this group... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF... area. Primary intended service class means: (a) The primary service application group for which a heavy...

40 CFR 86.085-2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... designed for rebuild. Rated horsepower generally ranges from 170 to 250. Vehicle body types in this group... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF... area. Primary intended service class means: (a) The primary service application group for which a heavy...

40 CFR 86.085-2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... designed for rebuild. Rated horsepower generally ranges from 170 to 250. Vehicle body types in this group... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF... area. Primary intended service class means: (a) The primary service application group for which a heavy...

Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes.

PubMed

Fransen, Marlene; Nairn, Lillias; Winstanley, Julie; Lam, Paul; Edmonds, John

2007-04-15

To determine whether Tai Chi or hydrotherapy classes for individuals with chronic symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) result in measurable clinical benefits. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 152 older persons with chronic symptomatic hip or knee OA. Participants were randomly allocated for 12 weeks to hydrotherapy classes (n = 55), Tai Chi classes (n = 56), or a waiting list control group (n = 41). Outcomes were assessed 12 and 24 weeks after randomization and included pain and physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), general health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 Health Survey [SF-12], version 2), psychological well-being, and physical performance (Up and Go test, 50-foot walk time, timed stair climb). At 12 weeks, compared with controls, participants allocated to hydrotherapy classes demonstrated mean improvements (95% confidence interval) of 6.5 (0.4, 12.7) and 10.5 (3.6, 14.5) for pain and physical function scores (range 0-100), respectively, whereas participants allocated to Tai Chi classes demonstrated improvements of 5.2 (-0.8, 11.1) and 9.7 (2.8, 16.7), respectively. Both class allocations achieved significant improvements in the SF-12 physical component summary score, but only allocation to hydrotherapy achieved significant improvements in the physical performance measures. All significant improvements were sustained at 24 weeks. In this almost exclusively white sample, class attendance was higher for hydrotherapy, with 81% attending at least half of the available 24 classes, compared with 61% for Tai Chi. Access to either hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes can provide large and sustained improvements in physical function for many older, sedentary individuals with chronic hip or knee OA.

Implementing Reading Strategies Based on Collaborative Learning Approach in an English Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suwantharathip, Ornprapat

2015-01-01

The present study investigated the effects of reading strategies based on collaborative learning approach on students' reading comprehension and reading strategy use. The quasi-experimental research study was performed with two groups of students. While the control group was taught in the traditional way, the experimental group received reading…

Differential Impact of Whole-Brain Radiotherapy Added to Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kong, Doo-Sik; Lee, Jung-Il, E-mail: jilee@skku.ed; Im, Yong-Seok

2010-10-01

Purpose: The authors investigated whether the addition of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) provided any therapeutic benefit according to recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class. Methods and Materials: Two hundred forty-five patients with 1 to 10 metastases who underwent SRS between January 2002 and December 2007 were included in the study. Of those, 168 patients were treated with SRS alone and 77 patients received SRS followed by WBRT. Actuarial curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method regarding overall survival (OS), distant brain control (DC), and local brain control (LC) stratified by RPA class. Analyses for known prognostic variables weremore » performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that control of the primary tumor, small number of brain metastases, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) > 70, and initial treatment modalities were significant predictors for survival. For RPA class 1, SRS plus WBRT was associated with a longer survival time compared with SRS alone (854 days vs. 426 days, p = 0.042). The SRS plus WBRT group also showed better LC rate than did the SRS-alone group (p = 0.021), although they did not show a better DC rate (p = 0.079). By contrast, for RPA class 2 or 3, no significant difference in OS, LC, or DC was found between the two groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that RPA classification should determine whether or not WBRT is added to SRS. WBRT may be recommended to be added to SRS for patients in whom long-term survival is expected on the basis of RPA classification.« less

Impact of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea on the development of Class II hyperdivergent patients receiving orthodontic treatment: A pilot study.

PubMed

Zhao, Tingting; Ngan, Peter; Hua, Fang; Zheng, Jie; Zhou, Shunquan; Zhang, Man; Xiong, Hui; He, Hong

2018-05-22

To conduct a pilot study to determine if the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) influences the orthodontic treatment outcome of Class II hyperdivergent patients receiving comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Patients between the ages of 12 and 14 who received orthodontic treatment at the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China, were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: the OSA group and the control group, based on the outcome of pretreatment polysomnography findings and lateral cephalometric radiograph examination. Patients in the control group were matched with the OSA group for age, sex, ethnicity, weight, and height. Cephalometric measurements were used to record the skeletal and dental changes from before to after treatment. Data were analyzed using the t-test. Twenty three OSA patients and 23 control patients were included. After comprehensive orthodontic treatment, the mandibular plane angle (SN-GoMe), articular angle (SArGo), sum of Jarabak angles (SUM) and the lower gonial angle (NGoMe) were found to increase significantly in the OSA group but remained unchanged or decreased slightly in the control group ( P < .05). In the non-OSA group, the growth pattern became more horizontal. In contrast, in the OSA group the growth pattern became more vertical. Otherwise, similar treatment results were obtained for both groups in terms of sagittal change and occlusion. The presence of OSA in pediatric patients has a deleterious effect on the development of hyperdivergent malocclusions. Early diagnosis and management of pediatric OSA can affect the orthodontic treatment outcome of these patients.

The effect of social and token economy reinforcements on academic achievement of students with intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

Mirzamani, S Mahmood; Ashoori, Mohammad; Sereshki, Narges Adib

2011-01-01

This study investigates the effect of social and token economy reinforcements on academic achievement of 9th grade boy students with intellectual disabilities in an experimental science class in Tehran Province. The method used for this study was experimental by pre-test, post- test with a control group. The boy students with intellectual disabilities from three junior high schools participated in this study. The sample consisted of thirty, 9th grade boy students with intellectual disabilities in the selected schools; the schools were chosen by the multi-stage cluster method. To measure the progress of students in the science class, a teacher made test and the Wechsler intelligence test for matching the groups for IQ were used. To ensure validity, the content validity criteria depended tests calculated by the Lashe method and teachers' perspective were used. The reliability coefficient was obtained by the reliability coefficient of related tests; the percent agreement method and the obtained data were analyzed using one-way variance analysis and Shefe prosecution test. The results showed that there was a significant increase in academic achievement of students with intellectual disabilities when using token economy than using social reinforcements compared with the control group. Also, when using social reinforcements, the academic achievement of students was more than the control group. Token economy and social reinforcements increased the academic achievement of students with intellectual disabilities in the science class; and also the effect of token economy reinforcements was more than social reinforcements on the subjects.

Assisting at-risk community college students' acquisition of critical thinking learning strategies in human anatomy and physiology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arburn, Theresa Morkovsky

1998-11-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether learning thinking strategies within the context of a community college course in Human Anatomy and Physiology would result in increased academic performance and the incidence of critical thinking skills. Included in the study sample were 68 community college students, many of whom would be categorized as "at-risk," who were enrolled in four sections of a Human Anatomy and Physiology class. Two of the class sections served as the experimental group and two sections served as the control group. During the course of one semester, members of the experimental group participated in the use of a student-generated questioning technique in conjunction with lecture presentations, while members of the control group did not. All students were pretested using the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST). Posttesting was completed using these same instruments and an end-of-course comprehensive examination. Analysis of data revealed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups with regard to their overall achievement, their ability to process information, or their demonstration of critical thinking. It was interesting to note, however, that members of the experimental group did exhibit a change in their ability to select main ideas, apply deductive reasoning, and use inference. While the use of thinking strategies within the context of the course did not effect a significant change in academic achievement or critical thinking among at-risk community college students, it should be noted that application of a non-lecture method of class participation had no negative impact on student performance. Whether more abstruse changes have occurred with regard to the acquisition of cognitive skills remains to be elucidated.

Quantum entanglement properties of geometrical and topological quantum gates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sezer, Hasan Cavit; Duy, Hoang Ngoc; Heydari, Hoshang

2011-03-01

In this paper we will investigate the action of holonomic and topological quantum gates on different classes of four qubit states. In particular, we review the construction of holonomic quantum gate based on geometric phase and topological quantum gate based on braid group. Then, we investigate the entanglement properties of three different classes of four-qubit states based on geometric invariants. The result shows that entanglement properties of the two most generic classes of four-qubit states can be controlled by holonomic and topological quantum gate..

Science motivation by discussion and controversy (SMDC) model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izadi, Dina; Mora Ley, César Eduardo; Ramírez Díaz, Mario Humberto

2017-05-01

Succeeding theories and empirical investigations have often been built over conceptual understanding to develop talent education. Opportunities provided by society are crucial at every point in the talent-development process. Abilities differ and can vary among boys and girls. Although they have some responsibility for their own growth and development, the educational system and psychosocial variables influence on the successful development of high levels of education. This research explores students’ attitudes to science education to establish why many disengage with the subject in class and what can be done to reverse this trend to produce unimaginable scientific and practical benefits to society. The control group is students from several schools with traditional education in Iran and the experimental group is teams who have taken part in several activities such as national and international tournaments (2005-2013). This research has two parts: 1—how innovation in teaching and 2—discussion and controversy in class can improve science education and cause motivation. The average scores are divided into 5 ranges in both experimental and traditional groups. As shown by Spearman’s correlation rank (ρ) the difference between boys’ and girls’ average scores is about (2.71) in the control group but it has decreased to (0.29) in the experimental group. The main point of discussion is on problems in class which advance a set of interrelated scientific arguments for outstanding achievement.

New insights of HLA class I association to Behçet's disease in Portuguese patients.

PubMed

Bettencourt, A; Pereira, C; Carvalho, L; Carvalho, C; Patto, J V; Bastos, M; Silva, A M; Barros, R; Vasconcelos, C; Paiva, P; Costa, L; Costa, P P; Mendonça, D; Correia, J; Silva, B M

2008-10-01

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 is a well-known genetic factor associated with Behçet's disease (BD). To analyse the influence of HLA-B*51 and other HLA class I alleles in BD susceptibility in a Portuguese population and its association with disease severity, we studied 78 BD patients and 208 healthy controls. The patients were classified into two severity groups as described by Gul et al. As expected, a higher frequency of HLA-B*51 was found. The frequency of HLA-Cw*16 alleles was significantly higher in patients. Regarding severity, HLA-B*27 frequency was higher in the severe group compared with controls and with the mild group. Thus, HLA-B*51 and HLA-Cw*16 seem to confer susceptibility to BD in this patients. HLA-B*27 may be important as a prognostic factor.

Does Repeated Reading Improve Reading Fluency and Comprehension for Struggling Adolescent Readers?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Still, Kristine Lynn; Flynt, Christine A.

2012-01-01

This was a 12-week study that explored the effects of repeated peer readings on struggling adolescent readers. It was a quasi-experimental design with one treatment group and one control group. There were two small group English classes that were consistently using the repeated reading strategy (the treatment group) and students in the co-teach…

A Comparative Study of Urban Black Argot. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Folb, Edith A.

A current vocabulary of argot terms and meanings was collected from a Black male control group in the South Central Los Angeles ghetto. This lexicon was used to elicit and compare responses from 5 male groups of youths between 15 and 20 years old. Two of the groups consisted of lower class blacks separated geographically. The other groups were…

Brief, cooperative peer-instruction sessions during lectures enhance student recall and comprehension*

PubMed Central

Zhang, Niu; Henderson, Charles N.R.

2016-01-01

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the academic impact of cooperative peer instruction during lecture pauses in an immunology/endocrinology course. Methods: Third-quarter students participated across iterations of the course. Each class offered 20 lectures of 50 minutes each. Classes were divided into a peer-instruction group incorporating cooperative peer instruction and a control group receiving traditional lectures. Peer-instruction group lectures were divided into 2–3 short presentations followed by a multiple-choice question (MCQ). Students recorded an initial answer and then had 1 minute to discuss answers with group peers. Following this, students could submit a revised answer. The control group received the same lecture material, but without MCQs or peer discussions. Final-exam scores were compared across study groups. A mixed-design analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Results: There was a statistically significant main effect for the peer-instruction activity (F(1, 93) = 6.573, p = .012, r = .257), with recall scores higher for MCQs asked after peer-instruction activities than for those asked before peer instruction. Final-exam scores at the end of term were greater in the peer-instruction group than the control group (F(1, 193) = 9.264, p = .003, r = .214; question type, F(1, 193) = 26.671, p = .000, r = .348). Conclusion: Lectures with peer-instruction pauses increase student recall and comprehension compared with traditional lectures. PMID:26967766

Research study: Space vehicle control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Likins, P. W.; Longman, R. W.

1979-01-01

From the control point of view, spacecraft are classified into two main groups: those for which the spacecraft is fully defined before the control system is designed; and those for which the control system must be specified before certain interchangeable parts of a multi-purpose spacecraft are selected for future missions. Consideration is given to both classes of problems.

Class III camouflage treatment: what are the limits?

PubMed

Burns, Nikia R; Musich, David R; Martin, Chris; Razmus, Thomas; Gunel, Erdogan; Ngan, Peter

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue changes in response to camouflage Class III treatment. Thirty patients (average age, 12.4 + or - 1.0 years) with skeletal Class III malocclusions who completed comprehensive nonextraction orthodontic treatment were studied. Skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue changes were determined by using published cephalometric analyses. The quality of orthodontic treatment was standardized by registering the peer assessment rating index on the pretreatment and posttreatment study models. The change in the level of gingival attachment with treatment was determined on the study casts. The results were compared with a group of untreated subjects. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis and paired t tests. The average change in the Wits appraisal was greater in the treated group (1.2 + or - 0.1 mm) than in the control group (-0.5 + or - 0.3 mm). The average peer assessment rating index score improved from 33.5 to 4.1. No significant differences were found for the level of gingival attachments between the treatment and control groups. The sagittal jaw relationship (ANB angle) did not improve with camouflage treatment. A wide range of tooth movements compensated for the skeletal changes in both groups. The upper and lower limits for incisal movement to compensate for Class III skeletal changes were 120 degrees to the sella-nasion line and 80 degrees to the mandibular plane, respectively. Greater increases in the angle of convexity were found in the treated group, indicating improved facial profiles. Greater increases in length of the upper lip were found in the treated group, corresponding to the changes in the hard tissues with treatment. Significant dental and soft-tissue changes can be expected in young Class III patients treated with camouflage orthodontic tooth movement. A wide range of skeletal dysplasias can be camouflaged with tooth movement without deleterious effects to the periodontium. However, proper diagnosis and realistic treatment objectives are necessary to prevent undesirable sequelae. Copyright 2010 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of online collaborative learning on middle school student science literacy and sense of community

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wendt, Jillian Leigh

This study examines the effects of online collaborative learning on middle school students' science literacy and sense of community. A quantitative, quasi-experimental pretest/posttest control group design was used. Following IRB approval and district superintendent approval, students at a public middle school in central Virginia completed a pretest consisting of the Misconceptions-Oriented Standards-Based Assessment Resources for Teachers (MOSART) Physical Science assessment and the Classroom Community Scale. Students in the control group received in-class assignments that were completed collaboratively in a face-to-face manner. Students in the experimental group received in-class assignments that were completed online collaboratively through the Edmodo educational platform. Both groups were members of intact, traditional face-to-face classrooms. The students were then post tested. Results pertaining to the MOSART assessment were statistically analyzed through ANCOVA analysis while results pertaining to the Classroom Community Scale were analyzed through MANOVA analysis. Results are reported and suggestions for future research are provided.

The Effects of Learning-Style Based Activities on Students' Reading Comprehension Skills and Self-Efficacy Perceptions in English Foreign Language Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balci, Özgül

2017-01-01

This study investigated the effects of learning-style based activities on students' reading comprehension skills and self-efficacy perceptions in English foreign language classes. A quasi-experimental, matching-only pretest-posttest control group design was utilized. The study was conducted with freshmen university students majoring in Elementary…

Effect of Strategy Teaching for the Solution of Ratio Problems on Students' Proportional Reasoning Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sen, Ceylan; Güler, Gürsel

2017-01-01

The study was conducted to reveal the effects of the instruction of different problem-solving strategies on the proportional reasoning skills of students in solving proportional problems in the 6th grade math's class. Quasi-experimental research model with pretest-posttest control group was employed in the study. For eight class hours, the…

Impact of Leveled Reading Books on the Fluency and Comprehension Levels of First Grade Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seals, Melissa Paige

2013-01-01

The purpose of this nonequivalent, control group, pretest-posttest design study was to evaluate the effectiveness of leveled book programs on first-grade students' oral reading fluency rates and comprehension levels. This study was conducted over a 10-week time span with four first-grade classes. All of the students in each class were given a…

A Game-Based Learning Approach to Improving Students' Learning Achievements in a Nutrition Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yien, Jui-Mei; Hung, Chun-Ming; Hwang, Gwo-Jen; Lin, Yueh-Chiao

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of applying a game-based learning approach to nutrition education. The quasi-experimental nonequivalent-control group design was adopted in a four-week learning activity. The participants included sixty-six third graders in two classes of an elementary school. One of the classes was assigned to be…

Managing knee osteoarthritis with yoga or aerobic/strengthening exercise programs in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Cheung, Corjena; Wyman, Jean F; Bronas, Ulf; McCarthy, Teresa; Rudser, Kyle; Mathiason, Michelle A

2017-03-01

Although exercise is often recommended for managing osteoarthritis (OA), limited evidence-based exercise options are available for older adults with OA. This study compared the effects of Hatha yoga (HY) and aerobic/strengthening exercises (ASE) on knee OA. Randomized controlled trial with three arms design was used: HY, ASE, and education control. Both HY and ASE groups involved 8 weekly 45-min group classes with 2-4 days/week home practice sessions. Control group received OA education brochures and weekly phone calls from study staff. Standardized instruments were used to measure OA symptoms, physical function, mood, spiritual health, fear of falling, and quality of life at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. HY/ASE adherences were assessed weekly using class attendance records and home practice video recordings. Primary analysis of the difference in the change from baseline was based on intent-to-treat and adjusted for baseline values. Eight-three adults with symptomatic knee OA completed the study (84% female; mean age 71.6 ± 8.0 years; mean BMI 29.0 ± 7.0 kg/m 2 ). Retention rate was 82%. Compared to the ASE group at 8 weeks, participants in the HY group had a significant improvement from baseline in perception of OA symptoms (-9.6 [95% CI -15.3, -4]; p = .001), anxiety (-1.4 [95% CI -2.7, -0]; p = .04), and fear of falling (-4.6 [-7.5, -1.7]; p = .002). There were no differences in class/home practice adherence between HY and ASE. Three non-serious adverse events were reported from the ASE group. Both HY and ASE improved symptoms and function but HY may have superior benefits for older adults with knee OA. Trial registration The full trial protocol is available at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02525341).

Haemodynamic Performance of Low Strength Below Knee Graduated Elastic Compression Stockings in Health, Venous Disease, and Lymphoedema.

PubMed

Lattimer, C R; Kalodiki, E; Azzam, M; Geroulakos, G

2016-07-01

To test the in vivo haemodynamic performance of graduated elastic compression (GEC) stockings using air-plethysmography (APG) in healthy volunteers (controls) and patients with varicose veins (VVs), post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), or lymphoedema. Responsiveness data were used to determine which group benefited the most from GEC. There were 12 patients per group compared using no compression, knee-length Class 1 (18-21 mmHg) compression, and Class 2 (23-32 mmHg) compression. Stocking/leg interface pressures (mmHg) were measured supine in two places using an air-sensor transducer. Stocking performance parameters, investigated before and after GEC, included the standard APG tests (working venous volume [wVV], venous filling index [VFI], venous drainage index [VDI], ejection fraction [EF]) and the occlusion plethysmography tests (incremental pressure causing the maximal increase in calf volume [IPMIV], outflow fraction [OF]). Results were expressed as median and interquartile range. Significant graduated compression was achieved in all four groups with higher interface pressures at the ankle. Only the VVs patients had a significant reduction in their wVV (without: 133 [109-146] vs. class1: 93 [74-113] mL) and the VFI (without: 4.6 [3-7.1] vs. class1: 3.1 [1.9-5] mL/s), both at p <.05. The IPMIV improved significantly in all groups except in the PTS group (p <.05). The OF improved only in the controls (without: 43 [38-51] vs. class1: 50 [48-53] %) and the VVs patients (without: 47 [39-58] vs. class1: 56 [50-64] %), both at p <.05. There were no significant differences in the VDI or the EF with GEC. Compression dose-response relationships were not observed. Patients with varicose veins improved the most, whereas those with PTS improved the least. Performance seemed to depend more on disease pathophysiology than compression strength. However, the lack of responsiveness to compression strength may be related to the low external pressures used. Stocking performance tests may have value in selecting those patients who benefit most from compression. Copyright © 2016 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DNA typing of HLA-A, -C, -B, AND -DRB1 in the children with autism in the Republic of Macedonia.

PubMed

Trajkovski, V; Spiroski, M

2015-01-01

In the present study, we report the first DNA analysis of HLA class I and class II alleles in Macedonian autistic subjects. We have analyzed the HLA-A, -C, -B, DRB1 genotypes of 35 autistic patients, and 98 healthy unrelated Macedonians (control group). HLA DNA typing of class I genes was performed using a Reverse Line Strip method (RLS), and the Sequencing Based Typing method (SBT) was used for typing of class II genes. In the autistic subjects for HLA-A locus 14 alleles have been identified with 2 being predominant *02 (25.7 %), and *24 (18.6 %). Among the 11 identified HLA-C alleles, 3 were predominant such as *12 (20.0 %), *07 (17.1 %), and *03 (12.9 %). Among the 18 identified HLA-B alleles, 2 were predominant: *51 (18.6 %), and *18 (11.4 %). For HLA-DRB1 locus, 10 alleles have been identified with 2 of them predominant such as: *11 (21.4 %), and *01 (14.3 %). The allele and haplotype frequencies in the patients group were compared to those of 98 control subjects. Our results showed significantly increased frequencies of HLA-C*03 (OR = 2.74*; χ2 = 4.68; p = 0.03), and HLA-DRB1*01 (OR = 3.10*; χ2 = 6.26; p = 0.012) alleles in autistic patients when compared to the controls. The most frequent haplotype frequencies in autistic sample were A*11-C*12-B*52-DRB1*15 (2.9 %), A*24-C*03-B*55-DRB1*16 (2.9 %), and A*24-C*03-B*55-DRB1*16 (2.9 %), but they were not statistically significant when compared to the control group. None of our patients carried allele or haplotype, which were protective in our population. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in autistic group showed that HLA-A (p < 0.03), HLA-C (p < 0.04), and HLA-DRB1 (p < 0.002) loci were in linkage disequilibria. In the control group, we found only for the HLA-DRB1 locus linkage disequilibrium (p < 0.002). Our results demonstrated the association of HLA-C*03 and HLA-DRB1*01 alleles with Macedonian autistic patients (Tab. 7, Ref. 37).

Bullying prevention in schools by targeting cognitions, emotions, and behavior: Evaluating the effectiveness of the REBE-ViSC program.

PubMed

Trip, Simona; Bora, Carmen; Sipos-Gug, Sebastian; Tocai, Ioana; Gradinger, Petra; Yanagida, Takuya; Strohmeier, Dagmar

2015-10-01

The effectiveness of a class-based antibullying prevention program on cognitions, emotions, and behaviors was investigated. The program consists of a cognitive-behavioral (Rational Emotive Behavioral Education; REBE) and a behavioral (Viennese Social Competence; ViSC) component. The REBE program is based on rational emotive behavioral theory and contains 9 student lessons. The ViSC program is based on social learning theory and comprises 10 student lessons. The order of the programs was experimentally manipulated. The REBE-ViSC program was implemented in 5 schools (14 classes), the ViSC-REBE program was implemented in 3 schools (9 classes), and 3 schools (11 classes) served as an untreated control group. Data were collected during 1 school year at pretest, midpoint, and posttest. Emotions (overt and internalizing anger), cognitions (learning and entitlement), and behaviors (bullying perpetration and bullying victimization) were measured with self-assessments. To examine the effectiveness of the REBE-ViSC/ViSC-REBE program, multilevel growth models were applied (time points at Level 1, individuals at Level 2, and classes at Level 3). The analyses revealed that the program effects differed depending on the order of the programs. The REBE-ViSC condition was more effective in changing negative emotions than the ViSC-REBE condition; both experimental conditions were effective in reducing dysfunctional cognitions, whereas no behavioral change was found in the 2 experimental groups when compared with the control group. To improve program effectiveness regarding behavioral changes, a multilevel whole-school approach including a teacher component is recommended. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of levels of inquiry model of science teaching on scientific literacy domain attitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Achmad, Maulana; Suhandi, Andi

2017-05-01

The aim of this research was to obtain an overview of the increase scientific literacy attitudes domain in high school students as the effects of the Levels of Inquiry (LOI) model of science teaching. This research using a quasi-experimental methods and randomizedpretest-posttest control group design. The subject of this research was students of grade X in a senior high school in Purwakarta and it consists of two classes who were divided into experimental class (30 students) and control class (30 students). While experimental class was taught LOIand control class was taught Interactive Lecture Demonstration (ILD). Data were collected using an attitude scale scientific literacy test which is based on the Likert scale. Data were analyzed using normality test, homogeneity test, and t-test to the value of N-gain attitude of scientific literacy scale test. The result of percentage average N-gain experimental class and control are 49 and 31 that classified into medium improvement category. Based on the results of hypothesis testing on the N-gain value obtained by the Sig.(One-tailed) 0.000 < 0.050, it means that H1 was accepted. The results showed that scientific literacy domain attitude of students who got learning by LOI is higher than students who got learning by ILD. It can be concluded that the effect of LOI is better to improve scientific literacy domain attitudes significantly.

Development and Effectiveness of an Educational Card Game as Supplementary Material in Understanding Selected Topics in Biology

PubMed Central

Gutierrez, Arnel F.

2014-01-01

The complex concepts and vocabulary of biology classes discourage many students. In this study, a pretest–posttest model was used to test the effectiveness of an educational card game in reinforcing biological concepts in comparison with traditional teaching methods. The subjects of this study were two biology classes at Bulacan State University–Sarmiento Campus. Both classes received conventional instruction; however, the experimental group's instruction was supplemented with the card game, while the control group's instruction was reinforced with traditional exercises and assignments. The score increases from pretest to posttest showed that both methods effectively reinforced biological concepts, but a t test showed that the card game is more effective than traditional teaching methods. Additionally, students from the experimental group evaluated the card game using five criteria: goals, design, organization, playability, and usefulness. The students rated the material very satisfactory. PMID:24591506

Development and effectiveness of an educational card game as supplementary material in understanding selected topics in biology.

PubMed

Gutierrez, Arnel F

2014-01-01

The complex concepts and vocabulary of biology classes discourage many students. In this study, a pretest-posttest model was used to test the effectiveness of an educational card game in reinforcing biological concepts in comparison with traditional teaching methods. The subjects of this study were two biology classes at Bulacan State University-Sarmiento Campus. Both classes received conventional instruction; however, the experimental group's instruction was supplemented with the card game, while the control group's instruction was reinforced with traditional exercises and assignments. The score increases from pretest to posttest showed that both methods effectively reinforced biological concepts, but a t test showed that the card game is more effective than traditional teaching methods. Additionally, students from the experimental group evaluated the card game using five criteria: goals, design, organization, playability, and usefulness. The students rated the material very satisfactory.

Changes in body weight and food choice in those attempting smoking cessation: a cluster randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Fear of weight gain is a barrier to smoking cessation and significant cause of relapse for many people. The provision of nutritional advice as part of a smoking cessation programme may assist some in smoking cessation and perhaps limit weight gain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a structured programme of dietary advice on weight change and food choice, in adults attempting smoking cessation. Methods Cluster randomised controlled design. Classes randomised to intervention commenced a 24-week intervention, focussed on improving food choice and minimising weight gain. Classes randomised to control received “usual care”. Results Twenty-seven classes in Greater Glasgow were randomised between January and August 2008. Analysis, including those who continued to smoke, showed that actual weight gain and percentage weight gain was similar in both groups. Examination of data for those successful at giving up smoking showed greater mean weight gain in intervention subjects (3.9 (SD 3.1) vs. 2.7 (SD 3.7) kg). Between group differences were not significant (p = 0.23, 95% CI −0.9 to 3.5). In comparison to baseline improved consumption of fruit and vegetables and breakfast cereal were reported in the intervention group. A higher percentage of control participants continued smoking (74% vs. 66%). Conclusions The intervention was not successful at minimising weight gain in comparison to control but was successful in facilitating some sustained improvements in the dietary habits of intervention participants. Improved quit rates in the intervention group suggest that continued contact with advisors may have reduced anxieties regarding weight gain and encouraged cessation despite weight gain. Research should continue in this area as evidence suggests that the negative effects of obesity could outweigh the health benefits achieved through reductions in smoking prevalence. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN73824458 PMID:22642755

Improving students’ creative thinking skill through local material-based experiment (LMBE) on protein qualitative test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Supriyanti, F. M. T.; Halimatul, H. S.

2018-05-01

This study aims to enhance chemistry students’ creative thinking skills using material from local resources on protein qualitative test experiment (LMBE). In this study, a quasi experiment method using one group pretest-postest non-equivalen control group design was carried out on the effectiveness of local material-based experiment approach. The data was collected using the test consists of five assay test and student work sheet (LKM). The effectiveness of the local material-based experiment was tested by means of percentage of normalized gain and score percentage of students’ worksheet. Comparison of creative thinking skills pretest and postest scores showed that the implementation of local material- based experiment (LMBE) enhanced students’s creative thinking skills in experiment class with the value of normalized gain (=0,77) at high category, while in control class reached to =0,44 at medium category. In addition, the LKM shown the enhancements of all aspect of creative thinking skills, including fluency, flexibility, and elaboration skills with the score of in experiment class are 0.79; 0.75; and 0.87 at high category, respectively. In contrast, the only the elaboration skill of control group was improved at high category (=0.76), while fluency and flexibility indicators enhanced at medium category (=0.48 and 0.56, respectively).

The Classroom Performance System (CPS): Effects on student participation, attendance, and achievement in multicultural anatomy and physiology classes at South Texas College

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Termos, Mohamad Hani

2011-12-01

The Classroom Performance System (CPS) is an instructional technology tool that increases student performance and addresses different learning styles. Instructional technologies are used to promote active learning; however, student embarrassment issue in a multicultural setting is not addressed. This study assessed the effect of the CPS on student participation, attendance, and achievement in multicultural college-level anatomy and physiology classes at South Texas College, where the first spoken language is not English. Quantitative method and quasi-experimental design were employed and comparative statistic methods and pre-post tests were used to collect the data. Participants were college students and sections of study were selected by convenient sampling. Participation was 100% during most of the lectures held and participation rate did not strike above 68% in control group. Attendance was significantly higher in CPS sections than the control group as shown by t-tests. Experimental sections had a higher increase in the pre-post test scores and student averages on lecture exams increased at a higher rate as compared to the control group. Therefore, the CPS increased student participation, attendance, and achievement in multicultural anatomy and physiology classes. The CPS can be studied in other settings where the first spoken language is English or in other programs, such as special education programs. Additionally, other variables can be studied and other methodologies can be employed.

Association between human leukocyte antigen-DR and demylinating Guillain-Barré syndrome

PubMed Central

Hasan, Zaki N.; Zalzala, Haider H.; Mohammedsalih, Hyam R.; Mahdi, Batool M.; Abid, Laheeb A.; Shakir, Zena N.; Fadhel, Maithem J.

2014-01-01

Objective: To find an association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 alleles frequencies in a sample of Iraqi patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and compare with a healthy control group. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study consisting of 30 Iraqi Arab patients with GBS attending the Neurological Department in the Neuroscience Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq between September 2012 and June 2013. The control group comprised 42 apparently healthy volunteers. Human leukocyte antigen genotyping for HLA DRB1, DRB3, DRB4, and DRB5 was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers method. The allele frequencies were compared across both groups. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class II HLA-DR genotyping and serotyping were performed by software analysis. Results: We found increased frequencies of HLA genotype DRB1*03:01 (p=0.0009), DRB1*07:01 (p=0.0015), and DRB4*01:01 (p<0.0001) in patients with GBS compared with healthy controls. The HLA DR6 was increased in the control group (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our results suggest an association between HLA-DRB1*03:01, DRB1*07:01, DRB4*01:01, and HLA DR3, DR7 and a susceptibility to GBS. PMID:25274590

Effect of antenatal education in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures on use of pain relief during labour and of obstetric interventions: results from the randomised NEWBORN trial.

PubMed

Brixval, Carina Sjöberg; Thygesen, Lau Caspar; Axelsen, Solveig Forberg; Gluud, Christian; Winkel, Per; Lindschou, Jane; Weber, Tom; Due, Pernille; Koushede, Vibeke

2016-06-10

To examine the effect of an antenatal education programme in small classes versus standard auditorium-based lectures. Randomised trial using random-generated web-based 1:1 allocation. The largest birth site in the Capital Region of Denmark, from August 2012 to May 2014. 1766 pregnant women. Inclusion criteria ≥18 years, pregnant with a single child, and able to speak and understand Danish. Women were enrolled in the trial from 10+0 to 20+0 weeks of gestation. The intervention programme consisted of three times 2.5 hours of antenatal education in small classes (n=6-8 women), and focused on improving information and problem-solving skills for expectant parents in order to ease birth and the transition to parenthood. The control group received standard auditorium-based lectures consisting of two times 2 hours in an auditorium with participation of ∼250 people. The primary trial outcome was use of epidural analgesia. Other types of pain relief and obstetric interventions were analysed as explorative outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference in use of epidural analgesia between participants in the intervention group (30.9%) versus the control group (29.1%), adjusted OR 1.10 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.34). Also, the two groups did not differ regarding other types of pain relief or obstetric interventions. Concomitant birth preparation was common in both groups and highest in the control group, but did not seem to influence our results noticeably. Antenatal education in small groups versus standard auditorium-based lectures did not differ regarding use of epidural analgesia, other pain relief, or obstetric interventions. NCT01672437; Results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Rubric Assessment on Science and Creative Thinking Skills of Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratnasusanti, H.; Ana, A.; Nurafiati, P.; Umusyaadah, L.

2018-02-01

The result of the monitoring and evaluation of the latest Indonesian curriculum (the 2013 curriculum) implementation at junior high school level year of 2014 showed that one of the difficult things that learners had in implementation 2013 curriculum is doing the result. The characteristic of applying the 2013 curriculum is to emphasize the modern pedagogic dimension of learning, which is using scientific approach, which requires learners to have highlevel thinking skills, one of which is creative thinking skills. The aims of this research is to implement performance assessment in measuring the creative thinking of junior high school students on subject Prakarya. The form of the main performance assessment is the task and assessment criteria. The experimental method that been used is the Quasi Experiment with Non-Equivalent Design Group Research. Population in this study is the students of VIII class of junior high school in Bandung, Indonesia which consists of six classes. And two classes are selected for the sample from that six classes and VIII A class were chosen, while VIII F class has been chosen as control class. The result of this research showed that the rubics of performance assessment can be measure or identify the creative thinking skill, its prove by the result of pre-test dan post-test are more dominant. In material of identification student’s creative thinking skills are reached an average 85 compare 79 with the control class. while in the presentation the experimental class got an average of 85 bigger than the control class which only reached 79.

Clinical Pharmacology of Delafloxacin in Patients With Hepatic Impairment

PubMed Central

Hoover, Randall; Marbury, Thomas C.; Preston, Richard A.; Quintas, Megan; Lawrence, Laura E.; Paulson, Susan K.; Cammarata, Sue K.

2016-01-01

Abstract Delafloxacin is a novel anionic fluoroquinolone with robust activity against Gram‐positive, Gram‐negative, atypical, and anaerobic bacteria, including methicillin‐resistant S aureus. Delafloxacin is currently being studied for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community‐acquired pneumonia. This was a phase 1, open‐label pharmacokinetic and safety study of a single intravenous dose of 300 mg delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment (Child‐Pugh class A, B, and C, respectively) compared with matched healthy controls. The effects of hepatic impairment were assessed by ANOVA of log‐transformed values for AUC0‐∞, Cmax, and systemic clearance, with hepatic group as a fixed effect. Mean AUC0‐∞ and Cmax in each impairment group were not significantly different from those of the pooled healthy subjects (P > 0.05). The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the percentage ratios of least‐squares means of AUC0‐∞ did not indicate significant differences between the impairment groups and pooled healthy controls: Child‐Pugh class A (mild) 114.4 (CI: 95.6, 137.0), Child‐Pugh class B (moderate) 114.8 (CI: 95.9, 137.4), and Child‐Pugh class C (severe) 115.1 (CI: 96.1, 137.8). A single IV infusion of delafloxacin was generally well tolerated in all treatment groups. The exposure and clearance of delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment did not significantly differ from those of pooled, matched healthy subjects. Based on these pharmacokinetic data, dose adjustment of delafloxacin in the presence of hepatic impairment is not needed. PMID:27570245

Autologous periodontal ligament cells in the treatment of class II furcation defects: a study in dogs.

PubMed

Suaid, Fabricia Ferreira; Ribeiro, Fernanda Vieira; Rodrigues, Thaisângela L; Silvério, Karina Gonzales; Carvalho, Marcelo Diniz; Nociti, Francisco Humberto; Casati, Marcio Zaffalon; Sallum, Enilson Antônio

2011-05-01

The goal of this study was to histologically investigate the use of periodontal ligament cells (PDL cells) in tissue engineering to regenerate class II furcation defects. PDL cells were obtained from the mandibular tooth extracted from each dog (seven), cultured in vitro and phenotypically characterized with regard to their biological properties. Following, bilateral class II furcation lesions were created at maxillary 3rd premolars and were randomly assigned to the test group [PDL cells+guided tissue regeneration (GTR)] or the control group (GTR). After 3 months, the animals were euthanized to evaluate the histometric parameters. In vitro, PDL cells were able to promote mineral nodule formation and to express bone sialoprotein, type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase. Histometrically, data analysis demonstrated that the cell-treated group presented a superior length of new cementum (6.00 ± 1.50 and 8.08 ± 1.08 mm), a greater extension of periodontal regeneration (3.94 ± 1.20 and 7.28 ± 1.00 mm), a lower formation of connective tissue/epithelium (2.15 ± 1.92 and 0.60 ± 0.99 mm), a larger area of new bone (7.01 ± 0.61 and 9.02 ± 2.30 mm(2)) and a smaller area of connective tissue/epithelium (5.90 ± 1.67 and 4.22 ± 0.95 mm(2)), when compared with control group. PDL cells in association with GTR may significantly promote periodontal regeneration in class II furcation defects in dog. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Improving students’ understanding of mathematical concept using maple

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ningsih, Y. L.; Paradesa, R.

2018-01-01

This study aimed to improve students’ understanding of mathematical concept ability through implementation of using Maple in learning and expository learning. This study used a quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest control group design. The sample on this study was 61 students in the second semester of Mathematics Education of Universitas PGRI Palembang, South Sumatera in academic year 2016/2017. The sample was divided into two classes, one class as the experiment class who using Maple in learning and the other class as a control class who received expository learning. Data were collective through the test of mathematical initial ability and mathematical concept understanding ability. Data were analyzed by t-test and two ways ANOVA. The results of this study showed (1) the improvement of students’ mathematical concept understanding ability who using Maple in learning is better than those who using expository learning; (2) there is no interaction between learning model and students’ mathematical initial ability toward the improvement of students’ understanding of mathematical concept ability.

Effectiveness of Conceptual Change Text-oriented Instruction on Students' Understanding of Energy in Chemical Reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taştan, Özgecan; Yalçınkaya, Eylem; Boz, Yezdan

2008-10-01

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of conceptual change text instruction (CCT) in the context of energy in chemical reactions. The subjects of the study were 60, 10th grade students at a high school, who were in two different classes and taught by the same teacher. One of the classes was randomly selected as the experimental group in which CCT instruction was applied, and the other as the control group in which traditional teaching method was used. The data were obtained through the use of Energy Concept Test (ECT), the Attitude Scale towards Chemistry (ASC) and Science Process Skill Test (SPST). In order to find out the effect of the conceptual change text on students' learning of energy concept, independent sample t-tests, ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) and ANOVA (analysis of variance) were used. Results revealed that there was a statistically significant mean difference between the experimental and control group in terms of students' ECT total mean scores; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in terms of students' attitude towards chemistry. These findings suggest that conceptual change text instruction enhances the understanding and achievement.

Using inquiry-based instructional strategies in third-grade science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Fanicia D.

The purpose of the study was to determine if the use of inquiry-based instructional strategies as compared to traditional instructional strategies would increase third-grade students' achievement in science, based on the pretest/posttest of the school system and the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). Inquiry-based instruction, presented students with a question, an observation, a data set, or a hypothesis for problem solving such as scientists use when working in real-world situations. This descriptive research employed a quantitative strategy using a pretest/posttest control group design. The research compared the science academic achievement levels of one Grade 3 class [N=14] exposed to a teacher's inquiry-based instructional strategies as compared to one Grade 3 class [ N=18] exposed to a teacher's traditional instructional strategies. The study compared the science academic performance levels of third-grade students as measured by pretest/posttest mean scores from the school system-based assessment and the Georgia CRCT. Four research hypotheses were examined. Based on the overall findings from this study, both the experimental group and the control group significantly increased their mean scores from the pretests to the posttests. The amount of gain from the pretest to the posttest was significantly greater for the experimental group than the control group for pretest/posttest 1 [t(12) = 8.79, p < .01] and pretest/posttest 2 [t(12) = 9.40, p < .01]. The experimental group significantly outperformed the control group with regard to their mean number of items answered correctly on the life sciences test [t(27) = -1.95, p = .06]. Finally, the control group did not outperform the experimental group on any of the comparisons made throughout this study. The results of this study provide empirical support for the effectiveness of the use of inquiry-based learning strategies, given that the experimental group outperformed the control group on all four posttests, on the science CRCT and on the individual Science portions on the test including earth, life and physical sciences. In fact, this study was able to detect significant differences between the experimental group and the control group with regard to the degree to which the students improved from the pretests to the posttests.

The Effects of Maxillary Protraction with or without Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Age Factors in Treating Class III Malocclusion: A Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wei; Qu, Hong-Chen; Yu, Mo; Zhang, Yang

2015-01-01

We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 12 studies to examine whether maxillary protraction face mask associated with rapid maxillary expansion (FM/RME) could be an effective treatment for Class III malocclusion and to evaluate the effect of timing on treatment response. Patients with a maxillary deficiency who were treated with FM with or without RME were compared with those who had an untreated Class III malocclusion. In both treatment groups, forward displacement of the maxilla and skeletal changes were found to be statistically significant. In addition, posterior rotation of the mandible and increased facial height were more evident in the FM group compared with the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the early treatment groups and late treatment groups. The results indicated that both FM/RME and FM therapy produced favorable skeletal changes for correcting anterior crossbite, and the curative time was not affected by the presence of deciduous teeth, early mixed dentition or late mixed dentition in the patient. PMID:26068221

The Comparative Effects of Prediction/Discussion-Based Learning Cycle, Conceptual Change Text, and Traditional Instructions on Student Understanding of Genetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yilmaz, Diba; Tekkaya, Ceren; Sungur, Semra

2011-03-01

The present study examined the comparative effects of a prediction/discussion-based learning cycle, conceptual change text (CCT), and traditional instructions on students' understanding of genetics concepts. A quasi-experimental research design of the pre-test-post-test non-equivalent control group was adopted. The three intact classes, taught by the same science teacher, were randomly assigned as prediction/discussion-based learning cycle class (N = 30), CCT class (N = 25), and traditional class (N = 26). Participants completed the genetics concept test as pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test to examine the effects of instructional strategies on their genetics understanding and retention. While the dependent variable of this study was students' understanding of genetics, the independent variables were time (Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3) and mode of instruction. The mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance revealed that students in both prediction/discussion-based learning cycle and CCT groups understood the genetics concepts and retained their knowledge significantly better than students in the traditional instruction group.

Primary biliary cirrhosis degree assessment by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging and hepatic fibrosis indicators

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hai-Chun; Hu, Rong-Fei; Zhu, Ting; Tong, Ling; Zhang, Qiu-Qin

2016-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the assessment of primary biliary cirrhosis degree by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) and hepatic fibrosis indicators. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients who developed liver cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis were selected as the observation group, with the degree of patient liver cirrhosis graded by Child-Pugh (CP) score. Sixty healthy individuals were selected as the control group. The four indicators of hepatic fibrosis were detected in all research objects, including hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III collagen (PC III), and type IV collagen (IV-C). The liver parenchyma hardness value (LS) was then measured by ARFI technique. LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis (HA, LN, PC III, and IV-C) were observed in different grade CP scores. The diagnostic value of LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis in determining liver cirrhosis degree with PBC, whether used alone or in combination, were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: LS and the four indicators of liver fibrosis within the three classes (A, B, and C) of CP scores in the observation group were higher than in the control group, with C class > B class > A class; the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Although AUC values of LS within the three classes of CP scores were higher than in the four indicators of liver fibrosis, sensitivity and specificity were unstable. The ROC curves of LS combined with the four indicators of liver fibrosis revealed that: AUC and sensitivity in all indicators combined in the A class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, albeit with slightly decreased specificity; AUC and specificity in all indicators combined in the B class of CP score were higher than in LS alone, with unchanged sensitivity; AUC values (0.967), sensitivity (97.4%), and specificity (90%) of all indicators combined in the C class of CP score were higher than in LS alone (0.936, 92.1%, 83.3%). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of PBC cirrhosis degree in liver cirrhosis degree assessment by ARFI combined with the four indicators of serum liver fibrosis is of satisfactory effectiveness and has important clinical application value. PMID:27298571

Gender differences in leadership amongst first-year medical students in the small-group setting.

PubMed

Wayne, Nancy L; Vermillion, Michelle; Uijtdehaage, Sebastian

2010-08-01

To investigate the extent of gender bias in the volunteerism of small-group leaders amongst first-year medical students, and whether bias could be eliminated with special instructions to the students. The gender of leaders in small-group sessions in a real academic setting was monitored under two conditions: control conditions, in which basic instructions were provided to participants, and intervention conditions, in which the same basic instructions were provided plus a brief "pep talk" on the importance of experiencing a leadership role in a safe environment. During the small-group sessions, an observer noted the gender and names of group leaders for later analysis. After a class debriefing, a subset of leaders and nonleaders from both the control and intervention groups were invited to be interviewed about their perceptions of the small-group experience. Interviews were tape recorded and transcribed for analysis. In 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, disproportionately fewer women than men volunteered to become small-group leaders under control conditions. This gender bias was eliminated under intervention conditions. The interviews illustrated how a subtle change in instructions helped some female students take on a leadership role. Gender bias in leadership in the small-group setting amongst medical students-even when women make up half of the class-may persist without targeted intervention. The authors suggest that frequent and consistent intervention during medical school could be an important factor in encouraging women to identify themselves as leaders, promoting confidence to consider leadership roles in medicine.

INSIGHT responsive parenting intervention is associated with healthier patterns of dietary exposures in infants.

PubMed

Hohman, Emily E; Paul, Ian M; Birch, Leann L; Savage, Jennifer S

2017-01-01

To determine whether a responsive parenting (RP) intervention affects infant dietary patterns. Primiparous mother-newborn dyads (n = 291) were randomized to the Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) RP intervention or control. Curricula were delivered at nurse home visits at ages 3, 16, 28, and 40 weeks. RP group feeding guidance advised responsive feeding, delayed introduction of solids, repeated exposure to novel foods, and age-appropriate portion sizes. Latent class analysis identified patterns of dietary exposure at 9 months. Class membership at 9 months was used to predict BMI percentile at 2 years. Five dietary patterns were identified: "Breastfed, Fruits and Vegetables," "Breastfed, Low Variety," "Formula, Fruits and Vegetables," "Formula, Low Variety," and "Formula, High Energy Density." Over 60% of infants had patterns low in fruits and vegetables or high in energy-dense foods. RP group infants were less likely than control to be in the "Formula, Low Variety" class (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.23-0.71) or "Formula, High Energy Density" class (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.61) relative to the "Formula, Fruits and Vegetables" class. Dietary pattern at 9 months was significantly associated with BMI percentile at 2 years. While a majority of infants consumed diets low in fruits and vegetables, the INSIGHT RP intervention was associated with healthier dietary patterns. © 2016 The Obesity Society.

Institution of a Preoperative Stoma Education Group Class Decreases Rate of Peristomal Complications in New Stoma Patients.

PubMed

Stokes, Audrey L; Tice, Shelly; Follett, Suzi; Paskey, Diane; Abraham, Lini; Bealer, Cheryl; Keister, Holly; Koltun, Walter; Puleo, Frances J

The purpose of this study was to compare selected postoperative complications (including stomal and peristomal complications), hospital length of stay, and readmission rates in a group of patients who attended a preoperative educational intervention to a retrospective group of patients who did not receive the intervention. Retrospective, comparison cohort study. The intervention group comprised 124 patients who attended an educational session for persons with fecal ostomies at a single tertiary care center in the Northeastern United States. They were compared to findings from a group of 94 individuals who underwent ostomy surgery during a 1-year period before initiation of the class. Patients undergoing emergent procedures or who had previous stomas were excluded. We found no significant differences between the 2 cohorts with respect to age, gender, comorbidities, open versus minimally invasive procedures, or colorectal diagnoses. A preoperative 2-hour stoma education class was led by certified WOC nurses for all patients undergoing colorectal surgeries in which the creation of a stoma was anticipated. This session included a didactic portion outlining postoperative expectations in the management of new ostomies (including dietary changes, prevention of dehydration, and an overview of ostomy supplies), as well as a hands-on portion to practice stoma care skills. We compared postoperative complications within 30 days (particularly stoma-related complications, including pouch leakage due to loss of seal, and peristomal skin irritation) between the group attending the education session and the control group. We also compared length of stay and 30-day readmission rates. Patients who participated in the educational intervention experienced significantly fewer peristomal complications than did patients in the historic control group (44.7% vs 20.2%, P = .002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that participation in the group was associated with a lower likelihood of peristomal skin complications (odds ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.67). Their length of stay (median 6 days vs 5 days, P = NS), and the proportion who experienced 30-day readmission (20.2% vs 15.3%, P = NS), did not significantly differ. A preoperative stoma education group class significantly reduced the likelihood of frequent leakage from the ostomy pouching system and peristomal skin irritation.

The Effects of a Flipped Classroom Model of Instruction on Students' Performance and Attitudes Towards Chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olakanmi, Eunice Eyitayo

2017-02-01

This study establishes the effects of a flipped classroom model of instruction on academic performance and attitudes of 66 first-year secondary school students towards chemistry. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was employed to assign students randomly into either the experimental or control group. In order to assess the suitability of using flipped model of instruction, students were divided in two groups. For the first group called the experimental group, a "flipped classroom" was used in which the students were given video lessons and reading materials, before the class to be revised at home. On the other hand, the second group followed traditional methodology, and it was used as control. The rate of reaction knowledge test and the chemistry attitude scale were administered. In addition, the researcher documented classroom observations, experiences, thoughts and insights regarding the intervention in a journal on a daily basis in order to enrich the data. Students were interviewed at the end of the research in order to enrich the qualitative data also. Findings from this study reveal that the flipped instruction model facilitates a shift in students' conceptual understanding of the rate of chemical reaction significantly more than the control condition. Positive significant differences were found on all assessments with the flipped class students performing higher on average. Students in the flipped classroom model condition benefited by preparing for the lesson before the classes and had the opportunity to interact with peers and the teacher during the learning processes in the classroom. The findings support the notion that teachers should be trained or retrained on how to incorporate the flipped classroom model into their teaching and learning processes because it encourages students to be directly involved and active in the learning.

A Comparison of Computer-Assisted Instruction and the Traditional Method of Teaching Basic Statistics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ragasa, Carmelita Y.

2008-01-01

The objective of the study is to determine if there is a significant difference in the effects of the treatment and control groups on achievement as well as on attitude as measured by the posttest. A class of 38 sophomore college students in the basic statistics taught with the use of computer-assisted instruction and another class of 15 students…

The Effect of Brain Based Learning on Second Grade Junior Students' Mathematics Conceptual Understanding on Polyhedron

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suarsana, I. Made; Widiasih, Ni Putu Santhi; Suparta, I. Nengah

2018-01-01

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Brain Based Learning on second grade junior high school students? conceptual understanding on polyhedron. This study was conducted by using post-test only control group quasi-experimental design. The subjects of this study were 148 students that divided into three classes. Two classes were taken as…

Investigating the Relationships among Metacognitive Strategy Training, Willingness to Read English Medical Texts, and Reading Comprehension Ability Using Structural Equation Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hassanpour, Masoumeh; Ghonsooly, Behzad; Nooghabi, Mehdi Jabbari; Shafiee, Mohammad Naser

2017-01-01

This quasi-experimental study examined the relationship between students' metacognitive awareness and willingness to read English medical texts. So, a model was proposed and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) with R software. Participants included 98 medical students of two classes. One class was assigned as the control group and the…

The Effect of Six Thinking Hats on Student Success in Teaching Subjects Related to Sustainable Development in Geography Classes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaya, Mehmet Fatih

2013-01-01

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of six thinking hats technique in teaching subjects related to sustainable development in geography classes. The study was in both a quantitative and qualitative form. The quantitative part of the study was designed according to pre-test, post-test control group research model, and in the qualitative…

Effects of Brain-Based Learning Approach on Students' Motivation and Attitudes Levels in Science Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akyurek, Erkan; Afacan, Ozlem

2013-01-01

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of brain-based learning approach on attitudes and motivation levels in 8th grade students' science classes. The main reason for examining attitudes and motivation levels, the effect of the short-term motivation, attitude shows the long-term effect. The pre/post-test control group research model…

Comparing the Principle-Based SBH Maieutic Method to Traditional Case Study Methods of Teaching Media Ethics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Thomas A.

2012-01-01

This quasi-experimental study at a Northwest university compared two methods of teaching media ethics, a class taught with the principle-based SBH Maieutic Method (n = 25) and a class taught with a traditional case study method (n = 27), with a control group (n = 21) that received no ethics training. Following a 16-week intervention, a one-way…

An Investigation of Two Instructional Settings in the Use of Semantic Mapping with Poor Readers. Program Report 85-4.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pittelman, Susan D.; And Others

A study investigated whether semantic mapping is more effective for poor readers instructed in a small group of poor readers or in a class of students with mixed reading abilities. Students in five fourth-grade classes served as the control, receiving no semantic mapping instruction. Subjects, 39 fourth-grade poor readers, were presented semantic…

Learning about Chemiosmosis and ATP Synthesis with Animations Outside of the Classroom †

PubMed Central

Goff, Eric E.; Reindl, Katie M.; Johnson, Christina; McClean, Phillip; Offerdahl, Erika G.; Schroeder, Noah L.; White, Alan R.

2017-01-01

Many undergraduate biology courses have begun to implement instructional strategies aimed at increasing student interaction with course material outside of the classroom. Two examples of such practices are introducing students to concepts as preparation prior to instruction, and as conceptual reinforcement after the instructional period. Using a three-group design, we investigate the impact of an animation developed as part of the Virtual Cell Animation Collection on the topic of concentration gradients and their role in the actions of ATP synthase as a means of pre-class preparation or post-class reinforcement compared with a no-intervention control group. Results from seven sections of introductory biology (n = 732) randomized to treatments over two semesters show that students who viewed animation as preparation (d = 0.44, p < 0.001) or as reinforcement (d = 0.53, p < 0.001) both outperformed students in the control group on a follow-up assessment. Direct comparison of the preparation and reinforcement treatments shows no significant difference in student outcomes between the two treatment groups (p = 0.87). Results suggest that while student interaction with animations on the topic of concentration gradients outside of the classroom may lead to greater learning outcomes than the control group, in the traditional lecture-based course the timing of such interactions may not be as important. PMID:28512512

Study of Serum Uric Acid Levels in Myocardial Infarction and Its Association With Killip Class.

PubMed

Mehrpooya, Maryam; Larti, Farnoosh; Nozari, Younes; Sattarzadeh-Badkoobeh, Roya; Zand Parsa, Amir Farhang; Zebardast, Jayran; Tavoosi, Anahita; Shahbazi, Fatemeh

2017-02-01

The present study aimed to compare the serum level of uric acid in patients with and without heart failure and also to determine the association between uric acid level and clinical status by Killip class in patients with STEMI. This case-control study was conducted on 50 consecutives as control group and 50 patients with acute heart failure, (20 patients had acute STEMI), who documented by both clinical conditions and echocardiography assessment. The mean plasma level of uric acid in the case group was 7.6±1.6 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) and in the control group was 4.5±1.5 respectively (P<0.001). These values in patients with STEMI was about 9.2±0.86, but in patients with acute heart failure in absence of STEMI was 6.5±1.04 (P<0.001). Moreover, there was significant difference among the level of uric acid and Killip classes (P<0.001). Also there was significant difference for uric acid level between HFrEF (HF with reduced EF) and severe LV systolic dysfunction (0.049). In STEMI patients with culprit LAD, mean uric acid was significantly higher than cases with culprit LCX [(9.7±0.98 versus 8.6±0.52 respectively) P=0.012]. Regarding  treatment plan in patients with STEMI, mean level of uric acid in those considered for CABG was significantly higher than who were considered for PCI, 9.9±0.82 versus 8.9±0.76 respectively, P=0.029. In STEMI patients with higher killip class, higher level of uric acid was seen. Also, the severity of LV systolic dysfunction was associated with higher level of uric acid.

Oral Dialogue Journals and Iranian EFL Learners' Pronunciation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beh-Afarin, Seyed Reza; Moradkhan, Dennis; Monfared, Amirhossein

2009-01-01

This study focused on the impact of oral dialogue journals on Iranian EFL learners' pronunciation. Three classes of intermediate learners, after being reassured of their homogeneity, were randomly assigned to treatment (14 students), control (9 students), and placebo (10 students) groups. Learners in the treatment group had to respond to the…

Improving Students' Chinese Writing Abilities in Taiwan with the "Conditioned Writing System"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yuan-Chen; Lee, Wan-Chun; Huang, Tzu-Hua; Hsieh, Hsiao-Mei

2012-01-01

This research investigates students' performance while writing Chinese essays using an interactive online writing system. Participants include students from two seventh-grade classes of a junior high school in Taoyuan County, Taiwan. The experimental group uses the conditioned writing interactive online system, while the control group receives…

Crying Behavior and the "Nonviolent" Leboyer Method of Delivery.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamilton, Joan Safran

This paper reports on a 3-month longitudinal study comparing the crying behavior of a group of babies delivered by the "nonviolent" Leboyer method with a control group delivered by traditional methods. Subjects were 24 white, middle class infants delivered by minimally medicated, multiparous and primiparous mothers. Fourteen newborns…

Excel Spreadsheets for Algebra: Improving Mental Modeling for Problem Solving

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Engerman, Jason; Rusek, Matthew; Clariana, Roy

2014-01-01

This experiment investigates the effectiveness of Excel spreadsheets in a high school algebra class. Students in the experiment group convincingly outperformed the control group on a post lesson assessment. The student responses, teacher observations involving Excel spreadsheet revealed that it operated as a mindtool, which formed the users'…

Biochemical Changes in Postmenopausal Women Following a Muscle Fitness Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snow-Harter, Christine

1987-01-01

Twelve postmenopausal women attending a 50 minute exercise class three times a week for eight weeks were compared with 10 controls who maintained sedentary routines. Results showed that the exercise group had higher serum alkaline phosphatase and lower serum calcium than the controls. (Author/CB)

Getting the Balance Right: A randomised controlled trial of physiotherapy and Exercise Interventions for ambulatory people with multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Coote, Susan; Garrett, Maria; Hogan, Neasa; Larkin, Aidan; Saunders, Jean

2009-01-01

Background People with Multiple Sclerosis have a life long need for physiotherapy and exercise interventions due to the progressive nature of the disease and their greater risk of the complications of inactivity. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland run physiotherapy, yoga and exercise classes for their members, however there is little evidence to suggest which form of physical activity optimises outcome for people with the many and varied impairments associated with MS. Methods and design This is a multi-centre, single blind, block randomised, controlled trial. Participants will be recruited via the ten regional offices of MS Ireland. Telephone screening will establish eligibility and stratification according to the mobility section of the Guys Neurological Disability Scale. Once a block of people of the same strand in the same geographical region have given consent, participants will be randomised. Strand A will concern individuals with MS who walk independently or use one stick to walk outside. Participants will be randomised to yoga, physiotherapy led exercise class, fitness instructor led exercise class or to a control group who don't change their exercise habits. Strand B will concern individuals with MS who walk with bilateral support or a rollator, they may use a wheelchair for longer distance outdoors. Participants will be randomised to 1:1 Physiotherapist led intervention, group intervention led by Physiotherapist, group yoga intervention or a control group who don't change their exercise habits. Participants will be assessed by physiotherapist who is blind to the group allocation at week 1, week 12 (following 10 weeks intervention or control), and at 12 week follow up. The primary outcome measure for both strands is the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale. Secondary outcomes are Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, 6 Minute Walk test, and muscle strength measured with hand held dynamometry. Strand B will also use Berg Balance Test and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Confounding variables such as sensation, coordination, proprioception, range of motion and other impairments will be recorded at initial assessment. Discussion Data analysis will analyse change in each group, and the differences between groups. Sub group analysis may be performed if sufficient numbers are recruited. Trial registration ISRCTN77610415 PMID:19607666

The Effect of Social and Token Economy Reinforcements on Academic Achievement of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

PubMed Central

Ashoori, Mohammad; Sereshki, Narges Adib

2011-01-01

Objective This study investigates the effect of social and token economy reinforcements on academic achievement of 9th grade boy students with intellectual disabilities in an experimental science class in Tehran Province. Method The method used for this study was experimental by pre-test, post- test with a control group. The boy students with intellectual disabilities from three junior high schools participated in this study. The sample consisted of thirty, 9th grade boy students with intellectual disabilities in the selected schools; the schools were chosen by the multi-stage cluster method. To measure the progress of students in the science class, a teacher made test and the Wechsler intelligence test for matching the groups for IQ were used. To ensure validity, the content validity criteria depended tests calculated by the Lashe method and teachers' perspective were used. The reliability coefficient was obtained by the reliability coefficient of related tests; the percent agreement method and the obtained data were analyzed using one-way variance analysis and Shefe prosecution test. Results The results showed that there was a significant increase in academic achievement of students with intellectual disabilities when using token economy than using social reinforcements compared with the control group. Also, when using social reinforcements, the academic achievement of students was more than the control group. Conclusion Token economy and social reinforcements increased the academic achievement of students with intellectual disabilities in the science class; and also the effect of token economy reinforcements was more than social reinforcements on the subjects. PMID:22952517

Tailoring community-based wellness initiatives with latent class analysis--Massachusetts Community Transformation Grant projects.

PubMed

Arcaya, Mariana; Reardon, Timothy; Vogel, Joshua; Andrews, Bonnie K; Li, Wenjun; Land, Thomas

2014-02-13

Community-based approaches to preventing chronic diseases are attractive because of their broad reach and low costs, and as such, are integral components of health care reform efforts. Implementing community-based initiatives across Massachusetts' municipalities presents both programmatic and evaluation challenges. For effective delivery and evaluation of the interventions, establishing a community typology that groups similar municipalities provides a balanced and cost-effective approach. Through a series of key informant interviews and exploratory data analysis, we identified 55 municipal-level indicators of 6 domains for the typology analysis. The domains were health behaviors and health outcomes, housing and land use, transportation, retail environment, socioeconomics, and demographic composition. A latent class analysis was used to identify 10 groups of municipalities based on similar patterns of municipal-level indicators across the domains. Our model with 10 latent classes yielded excellent classification certainty (relative entropy = .995, minimum class probability for any class = .871), and differentiated distinct groups of municipalities based on health-relevant needs and resources. The classes differentiated healthy and racially and ethnically diverse urban areas from cities with similar population densities and diversity but worse health outcomes, affluent communities from lower-income rural communities, and mature suburban areas from rapidly suburbanizing communities with different healthy-living challenges. Latent class analysis is a tool that may aid in the planning, communication, and evaluation of community-based wellness initiatives such as Community Transformation Grants projects administrated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stereotactic radiosurgery alone versus resection plus whole-brain radiotherapy for 1 or 2 brain metastases in recursive partitioning analysis class 1 and 2 patients.

PubMed

Rades, Dirk; Bohlen, Guenther; Pluemer, Andre; Veninga, Theo; Hanssens, Patrick; Dunst, Juergen; Schild, Steven E

2007-06-15

The objective of this study was to compare stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone with resection plus whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for the treatment of patients in recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class 1 and 2 who had 1 or 2 brain metastases. Two hundred six patients in RPA class 1 and 2 who had 1 or 2 brain metastases were analyzed retrospectively. Patients in Group A (n = 94) received from 18 grays (Gy) to 25 Gy SRS, and patients in Group B (n = 112) underwent resection of their metastases and received 10 x 3 Gy/20 x 2 Gy WBRT. Eight other potential prognostic factors were evaluated regarding overall survival (OS), brain control (BC), and local control (LC) of treated metastases: age, sex, performance status, tumor type, number of brain metastases, extracranial metastases, RPA class, and interval from tumor diagnosis to treatment of brain metastases. A comparison of the 2 treatment groups did not reveal significantly different OS (P = .19), BC (P = .52), or LC (P = .25). In RPA subgroup analyses, outcome also did not differ significantly for either RPA class of patients (P values from .21 to .83). On multivariate analysis, improved OS was associated with age < or =60 years (relative risk [RR], 1.75; P = .002), better performance status (RR, 1.67; P = .015), no extracranial metastases (RR, 2.84; P < .001), interval from tumor diagnosis to treatment >12 months (RR, 1.70; P = .003), and RPA class 1 (RR, 1.51; P = .016). Improved BC was associated with a single metastasis (RR, 1.54; P = .034) and an interval from tumor diagnosis to treatment >12 months (RR, 1.58; P = .019), and improved LC was associated with an interval from tumor diagnosis to treatment >12 months (RR, 1.59; P = .047). SRS alone appeared to be as effective as resection plus WBRT in the treatment of 1 or 2 brain metastases for patients in RPA class 1 and 2. Patient outcomes were associated with age, Karnofsky performance status, number of brain metastases, extracranial metastases, RPA class, and interval from tumor diagnosis to treatment. Copyright 2007 American Cancer Society.

The effect of integrating constructivist and evidence-based practice on baccalaureate nursing student's cognitive load and learning performance in a research course.

PubMed

Hsieh, Suh-Ing; Hsu, Li-Ling; Huang, Tzu-Hsin

2016-07-01

Baccalaureate nursing students perceive research as unattractive, doubt the value of nursing research, and do not appreciate the link of research with practice. No studies have examined students' cognitive load during an evidence-based practice research course versus a traditional research course. To assess the effect of integrating constructivist theories and evidence-based practice on student cognitive load and learning performance in a research course. A true experimental study. A Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Six classes of second-year students. Students were randomly allocated to the control group (two classes) or the experimental group (two classes) using cluster randomization. The control group underwent "traditional research"; the experimental group experienced "integrating evidence-based practice into research." Instruments for outcome assessment include the Cognitive Load Scale, cognitive test, team critique paper, and qualitative feedback on course satisfaction. The between-subjects effects were compared by Analysis of Covariance. The experimental group had significantly higher mental load (8.74 vs. 7.27, p<.001), mental effort (11.07 vs. 10.07, p=.009), mental efficiency (0.33 vs. -0.31, p<.001), and research knowledge (70.61 vs. 44.92, p<.001) than the control group. The experimental group had better critique paper scores in introduction (92.80%), literature review (91.70%), and assignment requirement and writing (89.40%). Some experimental learners expressed satisfaction with learning evidence-based practice (17.78%) and critiquing a research article (7.78%). Integrating evidence-based practice into a research course not only improved the research knowledge of baccalaureate nursing students, but also increased their mental load, mental effort, and mental efficiency. Additional studies may track learners' responses to different learning systems using the developed instrument to measure the three types of cognitive load. These findings may help educators design more effective and interesting curricula for integrating research and evidence-based practice into the studies of student nurses. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Class relations and all-cause mortality: a test of Wright's social class scheme using the Barcelona 2000 Health Interview Survey.

PubMed

Muntaner, Carles; Borrell, Carme; Solà, Judit; Marí-Dell'Olmo, Marc; Chung, Haejoo; Rodríguez-Sanz, Maica; Benach, Joan; Rocha, Kátia B; Ng, Edwin

2011-01-01

The aim of this study is to test the effects of neo-Marxian social class and potential mediators such as labor market position, work organization, material deprivation, and health behaviors on all-cause mortality. The authors use longitudinal data from the Barcelona 2000 Health Interview Survey (N=7526), with follow-up interviews through the municipal census in 2008 (95.97% response rate). Using data on relations of property, organizational power, and education, the study groups social classes according to Wright's scheme: capitalists, petit bourgeoisie, managers, supervisors, and skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers. Findings indicate that social class, measured as relations of control over productive assets, is an important predictor of mortality among working-class men but not women. Workers (hazard ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.35) but also managers and small employers had a higher risk of death compared with capitalists. The extensive use of conventional gradient measures of social stratification has neglected sociological measures of social class conceptualized as relations of control over productive assets. This concept is capable of explaining how social inequalities are generated. To confirm the protective effect of the capitalist class position and the "contradictory class location hypothesis," additional efforts are needed to properly measure class among low-level supervisors, capitalists, managers, and small employers.

Enhancement of Performance and Motivation through Application of Digital Games in an English Language Class

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wichadee, Saovapa; Pattanapichet, Fasawang

2018-01-01

The study was conducted to find out what impact a digital game had on students' learning performance and motivation. A quasi-experimental study was performed with two groups of students. The experimental group was taught using the digital game "Kahoot" whereas the control group was taught with the conventional method. Pre-tests,…

Effects of Reflective Inquiry Instructional Technique on Students' Academic Achievement and Ability Level in Electronic Work Trade in Technical Colleges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogbuanya, T. C.; Owodunni, A. S.

2015-01-01

This study was designed to determine the effect of reflective inquiry instructional technique on achievement of students in Technical Colleges. The study adopted a pre-test, post-test, non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental research design which involved groups of students in their intact class assigned to experimental group and control…

Integrating Total Physical Response Strategy in a Level I Spanish Class.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolfe, David E.; Jones, Gwendolyn

1982-01-01

Reports on an experiment in which one group of high school students was taught using Total Physical Response (TPR) for 20 minutes a day and a control group was taught by the usual manner. Results showed students in the TPR group scored better on standard unit tests and expressed greater satisfaction with their teacher and course. (EKN)

The Impact of Resource Programs Upon the Self-Concept and Peer Acceptance of Learning Disabled Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheare, Joseph B.

1978-01-01

Experimental group consisted of learning disabled children in regular classes with resource room interventions. Control group consisted of non-learning disabled children stratified by sex and classrooms. The resource based program did not result in significant changes in either self-concept or peer acceptance after one year for the LD group.…

Dancing for Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Trial of Irish Set Dancing Compared With Usual Care.

PubMed

Shanahan, Joanne; Morris, Meg E; Bhriain, Orfhlaith Ni; Volpe, Daniele; Lynch, Tim; Clifford, Amanda M

2017-09-01

To examine the feasibility of a randomized controlled study design and to explore the benefits of a set dancing intervention compared with usual care. Randomized controlled design, with participants randomized to Irish set dance classes or a usual care group. Community based. Individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) (N=90). The dance group attended a 1.5-hour dancing class each week for 10 weeks and undertook a home dance program for 20 minutes, 3 times per week. The usual care group continued with their usual care and daily activities. The primary outcome was feasibility, determined by recruitment rates, success of randomization and allocation procedures, attrition, adherence, safety, willingness of participants to be randomized, resource availability, and cost. Secondary outcomes were motor function (motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale), quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39), functional endurance (6-min walk test), and balance (mini-BESTest). Ninety participants were randomized (45 per group). There were no adverse effects or resource constraints. Although adherence to the dancing program was 93.5%, there was >40% attrition in each group. Postintervention, the dance group had greater nonsignificant gains in quality of life than the usual care group. There was a meaningful deterioration in endurance in the usual care group. There were no meaningful changes in other outcomes. The exit questionnaire showed participants enjoyed the classes and would like to continue participation. For people with mild to moderately severe PD, set dancing is feasible and enjoyable and may improve quality of life. Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhancing Asthma Self-Management in Rural School-Aged Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Horner, Sharon D; Brown, Adama; Brown, Sharon A; Rew, D Lynn

2016-06-01

To test the effects of 2 modes of delivering an asthma educational intervention on health outcomes and asthma self-management in school-aged children who live in rural areas. Longitudinal design with data collected 4 times over 12 months. The target sample was composed of children in grades 2-5 who had a provider diagnosis of asthma. Elementary schools were stratified into high or low socioeconomic status based on student enrollment in the free or reduced-cost lunch program. Schools were then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment arms: in-school asthma class, asthma day camp, or the attention-control group. Sample retention was good (87.7%) and equally distributed by study arm. Improvements in emergency department visits and office visits were related to attending either the asthma class or asthma day camp. Asthma severity significantly decreased in both asthma treatment groups. Other factors such as hospitalizations, parent asthma management, and child asthma management improved for all groups. Both asthma class and asthma day camp yielded significant reductions in asthma severity. There were reductions in the emergency department and office visits for the 2 asthma arms, and hospitalizations declined significantly for all groups. Asthma self-management also improved in all groups, while it was somewhat higher in the asthma arms. This may be due to the attention being drawn to asthma management by study participation and the action of completing questionnaires about asthma management, asthma symptoms, and health outcomes. © 2015 National Rural Health Association.

Influence of breast-feeding on the infant's intellectual development.

PubMed

Temboury, M C; Otero, A; Polanco, I; Arribas, E

1994-01-01

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of breast-feeding on the intellectual development of the infant, controlling for possible confounding factors. A prospective study of cohorts was carried out in a group of 229 healthy infants, studied from birth to 2 years of age. The infants were divided into two groups: group 1, 99 infants who were bottle-fed; and group 0, 130 who were breast-fed. All other characteristics in both groups were similar. Psychomotor development was measured between 18 and 29 months using the Bayley scales. Lower results on the Index of Mental Development were associated with bottle-fed infants, lower-middle and lower social class, elementary education of the mother, temper tantrums, and having siblings. Lower results on the Index of Motor Development were associated only with lower and lower-middle social class.

Treatment effects of skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ and Herbst appliances: A retrospective clinical study.

PubMed

Celikoglu, Mevlut; Buyuk, Suleyman Kutalmis; Ekizer, Abdullah; Unal, Tuba

2016-03-01

To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus FRD appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses and to compare the findings with a well-matched control group treated with a Herbst appliance for the correction of a skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion. The sample consisted of 32 Class II subjects divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 16 patients (10 females and 6 males; mean age, 13.20 ± 1.33 years) treated using the Forsus FRD EZ appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses. Group II consisted of 16 patients (9 females and 7 males; mean age, 13.56 ± 1.27 years) treated using the Herbst appliance. Seventeen linear and 10 angular measurements were performed to evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the appliances using paired and Student's t-tests. Both appliances were effective in correcting skeletal class II malocclusion and showed similar skeletal and soft tissue changes. The maxillary incisor was statistically significantly more retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (P < .01). The mandibular incisor was retruded in the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD group (-4.09° ± 5.12°), while it was protruded in the Herbst group (7.50° ± 3.98°) (P < .001). Although both appliances were successful in correcting the skeletal Class II malocclusion, the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance did so without protruding the mandibular incisors.

Changes in blood glucose among trained normoglycemic adults during a mini-trampoline exercise session.

PubMed

Martins Cunha, Raphael; Raiana Bentes, Mariana; Araújo, Victor H; DA Costa Souza, Mayara C; Vasconcelos Noleto, Marcelo; Azevedo Soares, Ademar; Machado Lehnen, Alexandre

2016-12-01

Blood glucose changes response during and after exercise are modulated by the postabsorptive state, intensity and duration of exercise, and the level of physical fitness as well. This study focused on the idea that high-intensity interval exercise, as mini-trampoline class, can reduce blood glucose. Thus, we examined acute changes in blood glucose among trained normoglycemic adults during a mini-trampoline exercise session. Twenty-four normoglycemic adult subjects were enrolled in the study. After physical assessment they were randomly assigned to either the experimental (N.=12) or the control group (N.=12). The experimental group performed a 50-minute session of moderate-to-high intensity (70 to 85% HRmax) exercise on a mini-trampoline commonly used in fitness classes. The control group did not perform any exercise, and all procedures were otherwise similar to the experimental group. Capillary blood glucose was measured before and every 15 minutes during the exercise session. The effects of exercise on blood glucose levels (group; time; and group interaction) were estimated using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc Test (P<0.05). The experimental group showed a decrease in blood glucose levels from baseline (108.7 mg/dL): 26.1% reduction (15 min; P<0.001), 24.2% (30 min; P<0.001), and 15.7% (45 min; P<0.001). Compared to the control group, blood glucose levels in the experimental group were reduced by 18.8% (15 min; P<0.001), 14.3% (30 min; P<0.001) and 6.9% (45 min; P=0.025). The study results provide good evidence that a prescribed exercise program on a mini-trampoline can be used for reducing blood glucose levels and thus can potentially control blood glucose.

Dental and skeletal components of Class II open bite treatment with a modified Thurow appliance

PubMed Central

Jacob, Helder Baldi; dos Santos-Pinto, Ary; Buschang, Peter H.

2014-01-01

Introduction Due to the lack of studies that distinguish between dentoalveolar and basal changes caused by the Thurow appliance, this clinical study, carried out by the School of Dentistry - State University of São Paulo/Araraquara, aimed at assessing the dental and skeletal changes induced by modified Thurow appliance. Methods The sample included an experimental group comprising 13 subjects aged between 7 and 10 years old, with Class II malocclusion and anterior open bite, and a control group comprising 22 subjects similar in age, sex and mandibular plane angle. Maxillary/mandibular, horizontal/vertical, dental/skeletal movements (ANS, PNS, U1, U6, Co, Go, Pog, L1, L6) were assessed, based on 14 landmarks, 8 angles (S-N-ANS, SNA, PPA, S-N-Pog, SNB, MPA, PP/MPA, ANB) and 3 linear measures (N-Me, ANS-Me, S-Go). Results Treatment caused significantly greater angle decrease between the palatal and the mandibular plane of the experimental group, primarily due to an increase in the palatal plane angle. ANB, SNA and S-N-ANS angles significantly decreased more in patients from the experimental group. PNS was superiorly remodeled. Lower face height (ANS-Me) decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group. Conclusions The modified Thurow appliance controlled vertical and horizontal displacements of the maxilla, rotated the maxilla and improved open bite malocclusion, decreasing lower facial height. PMID:24713556

Fair Play for Kids: effects on the moral development of children in physical education.

PubMed

Gibbons, S L; Ebbeck, V; Weiss, M R

1995-09-01

Commitment to the principles of sportspersonship is an acknowledged goal for school physical education. However, few programs have been implemented to investigate moral development changes in physical activity settings. A field experiment was designed to examine the effect of participation in educational activities selected from Fair Play for Kids (1990) on the moral judgment, reason, intention, and prosocial behavior of children (N = 452) in the 4th through 6th grades. Six intact classrooms at each grade level (N = 18) were randomly assigned to the following groups: (a) control, (b) Fair Play for Kids curriculum during physical education only, or (c) Fair Play for Kids curriculum during all school subjects. Experimental protocol extended for 7 months of an academic year, and moral development indicators were assessed prior to and following the intervention. Using class as the unit of analysis, 3 x 2 (Group x Time) repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that both treatment groups were significantly higher than the control group at posttest for moral judgment, reason, and intention scores. For students within classes, repeated measures analyses showed that treatment group participants had significantly higher posttest scores on all 4 measures as compared to students in the control group. Results provide initial validation of the Fair Play For Kids curriculum for effecting change in the moral development of elementary school students.

Designing the Undesignable: Social Software and Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dron, Jon

2007-01-01

Social software, such as blogs, wikis, tagging systems and collaborative filters, treats the group as a first-class object within the system. Drawing from theories of transactional distance and control, this paper proposes a model of e-learning that extends traditional concepts of learner-teacher-content interactions to include these emergent…

75 FR 14385 - Revocation of Class D and E Airspace; Panama City, FL

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-25

..., as the old airport and control tower is scheduled to be closed. Controlled airspace will be..., Airspace Specialist, Operations Support Group, Eastern Service Center, Air Traffic Organization, Federal... the proposed rule. The proposal contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments...

Feasibility of Pilates exercise to decrease falls risk: a pilot randomized controlled trial in community-dwelling older people.

PubMed

Barker, Anna L; Talevski, Jason; Bohensky, Megan A; Brand, Caroline A; Cameron, Peter A; Morello, Renata T

2016-10-01

To evaluate the feasibility of Pilates exercise in older people to decrease falls risk and inform a larger trial. Pilot Randomized controlled trial. Community physiotherapy clinic. A total of 53 community-dwelling people aged ⩾60 years (mean age, 69.3 years; age range, 61-84). A 60-minute Pilates class incorporating best practice guidelines for exercise to prevent falls, performed twice weekly for 12 weeks. All participants received a letter to their general practitioner with falls risk information, fall and fracture prevention education and home exercises. Indicators of feasibility included: acceptability (recruitment, retention, intervention adherence and participant experience survey); safety (adverse events); and potential effectiveness (fall, fall injury and injurious fall rates; standing balance; lower limb strength; and flexibility) measured at 12 and 24 weeks. Recruitment was achievable but control group drop-outs were high (23%). Of the 20 participants who completed the intervention, 19 (95%) attended ⩾75% of the classes and reported classes were enjoyable and would recommend them to others. The rate of fall injuries at 24 weeks was 42% lower and injurious fall rates 64% lower in the Pilates group, however, was not statistically significant (P = 0.347 and P = 0.136). Standing balance, lower-limb strength and flexibility improved in the Pilates group relative to the control group (P < 0.05). Estimates suggest a future definitive study would require 804 participants to detect a difference in fall injury rates. A definitive randomized controlled trial analysing the effect of Pilates in older people would be feasible and is warranted given the acceptability and potential positive effects of Pilates on fall injuries and fall risk factors. The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN1262000224820). © The Author(s) 2015.

The Effect of Teaching Model ‘Learning Cycles 5E’ toward Students’ Achievement in Learning Mathematic at X Years Class SMA Negeri 1 Banuhampu 2013/2014 Academic Year

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeni, N.; Suryabayu, E. P.; Handayani, T.

2017-02-01

Based on the survey showed that mathematics teacher still dominated in teaching and learning process. The process of learning is centered on the teacher while the students only work based on instructions provided by the teacher without any creativity and activities that stimulate students to explore their potential. Realized the problem above the writer interested in finding the solution by applying teaching model ‘Learning Cycles 5E’. The purpose of his research is to know whether teaching model ‘Learning Cycles 5E’ is better than conventional teaching in teaching mathematic. The type of the research is quasi experiment by Randomized Control test Group Only Design. The population in this research were all X years class students. The sample is chosen randomly after doing normality, homogeneity test and average level of students’ achievement. As the sample of this research was X.7’s class as experiment class used teaching model learning cycles 5E and X.8’s class as control class used conventional teaching. The result showed us that the students achievement in the class that used teaching model ‘Learning Cycles 5E’ is better than the class which did not use the model.

Can the Enhancement of Group Working in Classrooms Provide a Basis for Effective Communication in Support of School-Based Cognitive Achievement in Classrooms of Young Learners?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kutnick, Peter; Berdondini, Lucia

2009-01-01

This quasi-experimental study was part of the SPRinG project (Social Pedagogy Research into Group Work). The review notes group work in "authentic" classrooms rarely fulfils its interactive or attainment potential. SPRinG classes undertook a programme of relational training to enhance children's group working skills while control classes…

Jumping into the deep-end: results from a pilot impact evaluation of a community-based aquatic exercise program.

PubMed

Barker, Anna L; Talevski, Jason; Morello, Renata T; Nolan, Genevieve A; De Silva, Renee D; Briggs, Andrew M

2016-06-01

This multi-center quasi-experimental pilot study aimed to evaluate changes in pain, joint stiffness, physical function, and quality of life over 12 weeks in adults with musculoskeletal conditions attending 'Waves' aquatic exercise classes. A total of 109 adults (mean age, 65.2 years; range, 24-93 years) with musculoskeletal conditions were recruited across 18 Australian community aquatic centers. The intervention is a peer-led, 45 min, weekly aquatic exercise class including aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises (n = 67). The study also included a control group of people not participating in Waves or other formal exercise (n = 42). Outcomes were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and EuroQoL five dimensions survey (EQ-5D) at baseline and 12 weeks. Satisfaction with Waves classes was also measured at 12 weeks. Eighty two participants (43 Waves and 39 control) completed the study protocol and were included in the analysis. High levels of satisfaction with classes were reported by Waves participants. Over 90 % of participants reported Waves classes were enjoyable and would recommend classes to others. Waves participants demonstrated improvements in WOMAC and EQ-5D scores however between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. Peer-led aquatic exercise classes appear to improve pain, joint stiffness, physical function and quality of life for people with musculoskeletal conditions. The diverse study sample is likely to have limited the power to detect significant changes in outcomes. Larger studies with an adequate follow-up period are needed to confirm effects.

The impact of a stage tailored intervention on alcohol use trajectories among those who do not intend to change.

PubMed

Baumann, Sophie; Gaertner, Beate; Schnuerer, Inga; Haberecht, Katja; John, Ulrich; Freyer-Adam, Jennis

2015-02-01

Persons not intending to change are an important target population for public health efforts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether subgroups characterized by different trajectories of alcohol use frequency and quantity among persons with unhealthy drinking but no intention to change benefitted differently from a stage tailored intervention. This study was part of a randomized controlled trial among job-seekers. The participants of the intervention group (n=413) received feedback letters tailored to their motivational stage. The control group (n=414) received minimal assessment only. Among all participants, 629 (76.1%) did not intend to change alcohol use and constitute the study sample (60.7% men; mean age=29.7 years, SD=10.8). 3-, 6-, and 15-month follow-ups were conducted. Growth mixture modeling was applied to identify classes representing the heterogeneity in the development of alcohol use frequency and quantity and the influence of the intervention on different trajectories. Four classes were identified: a class of persons who achieved abstinence (2%), a class with low-frequent drinking with declining quantity (35%), a class with high-frequent drinking with low but slightly increasing quantity (30%), and a class with constant heavy episodic drinking (33%). Although non-significant, there was a tendency of different intervention effects for different classes. A sample of persons not intending to change unhealthy alcohol use was composed of subgroups characterized by different trajectories of alcohol use quantity and frequency. Trends towards beneficial intervention effects on motivation and drinking outcomes were not significant, possibly due to low power. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Change of Direction Ability Performance in Cerebral Palsy Football Players According to Functional Profiles

PubMed Central

Reina, Raúl; Sarabia, Jose M.; Yanci, Javier; García-Vaquero, María P.; Campayo-Piernas, María

2016-01-01

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the validity and reliability of the two different change of direction ability (CODA) tests in elite football players with cerebral palsy (CP) and to analyse the differences in performance of this ability between current functional classes (FT) and controls. The sample consisted of 96 international cerebral palsy football players (FPCP) and 37 football players. Participants were divided into four different groups according to the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) classes and a control group (CG): FT5 (n = 8); FT6 (n = 12); FT7 (n = 62); FT8 (n = 14); and CG (n = 37). The reproducibility of Modified Agility Test (MAT) and Illinois Agility Test (IAT) (ICC = 0.82–0.95, SEM = 2.5–5.8%) showed excellent to good values. In two CODA tests, CG performed faster scores compared with FPCP classes (p < 0.01, d = 1.76–3.26). In IAT, FT8 class comparisons regarding the other classes were: FT5 (p = 0.047, d = 1.05), FT6 (p = 0.055, d = 1.19), and FT7 (p = 0.396, d = 0.56). With regard to MAT, FT8 class was also compared with FT5 (p = 0.006, d = 1.30), FT6 (p = 0.061, d = 0.93), and FT7 (p = 0.033, d = 1.01). No significant differences have been found between FT5, FT6, and FT7 classes. According to these results, IAT and MAT could be useful and reliable and valid tests to analyse CODA in FPCP. Each test (IAT and MAT) could be applied considering the cut point that classifiers need to make a decision about the FT8 class and the other FT classes (FT5, FT6, and FT7). PMID:26779037

The Effect of the Use of Smart Board in the Biology Class on the Academic Achievement of Student

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Onder, Recep; Aydin, Halil

2016-01-01

The objective of this study is to reveal the effect of the use of smart board in the biology class at the tenth grade of the secondary education on the academic achievements of students. The study used the quasi-experimental model with pre-test and post-test control groups and semi-structured interviews were made with the students. The study group…

Effect of 5E Instructional Model in Student Success in Primary School 6th Year Circulatory System Topic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cardak, Osman; Dikmenli, Musa; Saritas, Ozge

2008-01-01

The aim of this study is to research the effect of the 5E instructional model on primary (sixth grade) student success during the circulatory system unit. This study was conducted with 38 students in two different classes by the same researcher in 2006-2007. One of the classes was assigned as the control group and the other as the experimental…

All-optical control of group velocity dispersion in tellurite photonic crystal fibers.

PubMed

Liu, Lai; Tian, Qijun; Liao, Meisong; Zhao, Dan; Qin, Guanshi; Ohishi, Yasutake; Qin, Weiping

2012-12-15

We demonstrate all-optical control of group velocity dispersion (GVD) via optical Kerr effect in highly nonlinear tellurite photonic crystal fibers. The redshift of the zero-dispersion wavelength is over 307 nm, measured by soliton self-frequency shift cancellation, when the pump peak power of a 1.56 μm femtosecond fiber laser is increased to 11.6 kW. The all-optical control of GVD not only offers a new platform for constructing all-optical-control photonic devices but also promises a new class of experiments in nonlinear fiber optics and light-matter interactions.

The combination of two training approaches to improve older adults' driving safety.

PubMed

Bédard, Michel; Porter, Michelle M; Marshall, Shawn; Isherwood, Ivy; Riendeau, Julie; Weaver, Bruce; Tuokko, Holly; Molnar, Frank; Miller-Polgar, Jan

2008-03-01

An increasing number of older adults rely on the automobile for transportation. Educational approaches based on the specific needs of older drivers may help to optimize safe driving. We examined if the combination of an in-class education program with on-road education would lead to improvements in older drivers' knowledge of safe driving practices and on-road driving evaluations. We used a multisite, randomized controlled trial approach. Participants in the intervention group received the in-class and on-road education; those in the control group waited and were offered the education afterwards. We measured knowledge of safe driving practices before and after the in-class component of the program and on-road driving skills before and after the whole program. Participants' knowledge improved from 61% of correct answers before the in-class education component to 81% after (p < .001). The on-road evaluation results suggested improvements on some aspects of safe driving (e.g., moving in roadway, p < .05) but not on others. The results of this study demonstrate that education programs focused on the needs of older drivers may help improve their knowledge of safe driving practices and actual driving performance. Further research is required to determine if these changes will affect other variables such as driver confidence and crash rates.

No evidence of benefit from class-II compression stockings in the prevention of lower-limb lymphedema after inguinal lymph node dissection: results of a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Stuiver, M M; de Rooij, J D; Lucas, C; Nieweg, O E; Horenblas, S; van Geel, A N; van Beurden, M; Aaronson, N K

2013-09-01

Graduated compression stockings have been advocated for prevention of lymphedema after inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) although scientific evidence of their efficacy in preventing lymphedema is lacking. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of class II compression stockings for the prevention of lymphedema in cancer patients following ILND. Secondary objectives were to investigate the influence of stockings on the occurrence of wound complications and genital edema, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and body image. Eighty patients (45 with melanoma, 35 with urogenital tumors) who underwent ILND at two specialized cancer centers were randomly allocated to class II compression stocking use for six months or to a usual care control group. Lymphedema of the leg and genital area, wound complications, HRQoL, and body image were assessed at regular intervals prior to and up to 12 months after ILND. No significant differences were observed between groups in the incidence of edema, median time to the occurrence of edema, incidence of genital edema, frequency of complications, HRQoL, or body image. Based on the results of the current study, routine prescription of class II graduated compression stockings after ILND should be questioned and alternative prevention strategies should be considered.

Is BodyThink an efficacious body image and self-esteem program? A controlled evaluation with adolescents.

PubMed

Richardson, Shanel M; Paxton, Susan J; Thomson, Julie S

2009-03-01

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BodyThink, a widely disseminated body image and self-esteem program. Participants were 277, grade 7 students from 4 secondary schools in Australia. The intervention group (62 girls, 85 boys) participated in BodyThink during four 50-min lessons, while the control group (65 girls, 65 boys) received their usual classes. All participants completed baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up questionnaires. For girls, the intervention group reported higher media literacy and lower internalization of the thin ideal compared to the control group. For boys, the intervention group reported higher media literacy and body satisfaction than the control group. Although some positive outcomes were observed, it would be valuable to find ways to enhance the impact of BodyThink, especially in light of its wide dissemination. Suggestions for improving BodyThink are presented.

A community-based Argentine tango dance program is associated with increased activity participation among individuals with Parkinson disease

PubMed Central

Foster, Erin R.; Golden, Laura; Duncan, Ryan P.; Earhart, Gammon M.

2012-01-01

Objective To determine the effect of a 12-month community-based tango dance program on activity participation among individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Design Randomized controlled trial with assessment at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Setting The intervention was administered in the community; assessments were completed in a university laboratory. Participants Sixty-two volunteers with PD enrolled in the study and were randomized to treatment group. Ten participants did not receive the allocated intervention, so the final analyzed sample included 52 participants. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to the Tango group, which involved 12 months of twice weekly Argentine tango dance classes, or to the no intervention Control group (n = 26 per group). Main Outcome Measures Current, new and retained participation in instrumental, leisure and social activities as measured by the Activity Card Sort (with the “dance” activity removed). Results Total Current participation in the Tango group was higher at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to baseline (ps ≤ 0.008), while the Control group did not change (ps ≥ 0.11). Total Activity Retention (since onset of PD) in the Tango group increased from 77% to 90% (p = 0.006) over the course of the study, whereas the Control group remained around 80% (p = 0.60). These patterns were similar in the separate activity domains. The Tango group gained a significant number of New Social activities (p = 0.003), but the Control group did not (p = 0.71). Conclusions Individuals with PD who participated in a community-based Argentine tango class reported increased participation in complex daily activities, recovery of activities lost since the onset of PD, and engagement in new activities. Incorporating dance into the clinical management of PD may benefit participation and subsequently quality of life for this population. PMID:22902795

Influence of incorrect application of a water-based adhesive system on the marginal adaptation of Class V restorations.

PubMed

Peschke, A; Blunck, U; Roulet, J F

2000-10-01

To determine the influence of incorrectly performed steps during the application of the water-based adhesive system OptiBond FL on the marginal adaptation of Class V composite restorations. In 96 extracted human teeth Class V cavities were prepared. Half of the margin length was situated in dentin. The teeth were randomly divided into 12 groups. The cavities were filled with Prodigy resin-based composite in combination with OptiBond FL according to the manufacturer's instructions (Group O) and including several incorrect application steps: Group A: prolonged etching (60 s); Group B: no etching of dentin; Group C: excessive drying after etching; Group D: short rewetting after excessive drying; Group E: air drying and rewetting; Group F: blot drying; Group G: saliva contamination; Group H: application of primer and immediate drying; group I: application of only primer; group J: application of only adhesive; Group K: no light curing of the adhesive before the application of composite. After thermocycling, replicas were taken and the margins were quantitatively analyzed in the SEM. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using non-parametric procedures. With exception of the "rewetting groups" (D and E) and the group with saliva contamination (G), all other application procedures showed a significantly higher amount of marginal openings in dentin compared to the control group (O). Margin quality in enamel was only affected when the primer was not applied.

Aluminium (Al) speciation in serum and urine after subcutaneous venom immunotherapy with Al as adjuvant.

PubMed

Michalke, Bernhard; Kramer, Matthias F; Brehler, Randolf

2018-02-21

Aluminium is associated with disorders and is the commonly used vaccine adjuvant. Understanding the mechanisms of how Al is transported, metabolized or of its toxicity depends on the knowledge of Al-interactions with bioligands, i.e. Al-species. Al-speciation in serum is difficult because of low concentration and the risk of exogenous Al contamination. Furthermore, Al-measurements may be hampered according to various interferences. This study aims for developing quality controlled protocols for reliable Al- and Al-species determination and for investigating probable differences in Al (-speciation) after Al-containing subcutaneous immunotherapy (SIT). Sample donors were recruited either for the control group ("class-0", they never had been treated with SIT containing an Al-depot extract) or for the SIT-group ("class-1", they previously had been treated with SIT for insect venom allergy with an Al-depot extract). Blood was drawn for medical reasons and serum prepared. Additionally, some sample donors collected 24-h-urine. They had been informed (and they consented) about the scientific use of their samples. The study was approved by the ethic committee of the "Medical Association Westphalia-Lippe" and of the University of Münster, evaluating the study positively (No. 2013-667-f-S). We applied quality controlled sample preparation and interference-free Al detection by ICP sectorfield-mass spectrometry. Al-species were analysed using size-exclusion-chromatography-ICP-qMS. Al-concentrations or speciation in urine samples showed no differences between class-0 and class-1. Al-citrate was the main uric Al-species. In serum elevated Al-concentrations were found for both classes, with class-1 samples being significantly higher than class-0 (p = 0.041), but class-0 samples being approximately 10-fold too high compared to reference values from non-exposed persons. We identified gel-monovettes as contamination source. In contamination-free samples from HNO 3 -prewashed gel-free monovettes (n = 27) there was no difference in the serum Al concentration between the two patient groups (p = 0.669) INTERPRETATION: Thorough cleaning of sample preparation ware and use of gel-free monovettes is decisive for an accurate Al analysis in serum. Without these steps, wrong analysis and wrong conclusions are likely. We conclude that gel-monovettes are unsuitable for blood sampling with subsequent Al-analysis. Whether Al in serum is elevated after SIT treatment containing an Al-depot extract, or not, remains inconclusive as the non-contaminated sample size was small. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Clinical Pharmacology of Delafloxacin in Patients With Hepatic Impairment.

PubMed

Hoover, Randall; Marbury, Thomas C; Preston, Richard A; Quintas, Megan; Lawrence, Laura E; Paulson, Susan K; Luke, David R; Cammarata, Sue K

2017-03-01

Delafloxacin is a novel anionic fluoroquinolone with robust activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, atypical, and anaerobic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S aureus. Delafloxacin is currently being studied for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia. This was a phase 1, open-label pharmacokinetic and safety study of a single intravenous dose of 300 mg delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A, B, and C, respectively) compared with matched healthy controls. The effects of hepatic impairment were assessed by ANOVA of log-transformed values for AUC 0-∞ , C max , and systemic clearance, with hepatic group as a fixed effect. Mean AUC 0-∞ and C max in each impairment group were not significantly different from those of the pooled healthy subjects (P > 0.05). The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the percentage ratios of least-squares means of AUC 0-∞ did not indicate significant differences between the impairment groups and pooled healthy controls: Child-Pugh class A (mild) 114.4 (CI: 95.6, 137.0), Child-Pugh class B (moderate) 114.8 (CI: 95.9, 137.4), and Child-Pugh class C (severe) 115.1 (CI: 96.1, 137.8). A single IV infusion of delafloxacin was generally well tolerated in all treatment groups. The exposure and clearance of delafloxacin in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment did not significantly differ from those of pooled, matched healthy subjects. Based on these pharmacokinetic data, dose adjustment of delafloxacin in the presence of hepatic impairment is not needed. © 2016, The Authors. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Endolymphatic sac surgery versus tenotomy of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles in the management of patients with unilateral definite Meniere's disease.

PubMed

Albu, Silviu; Babighian, Gregorio; Amadori, Maurizio; Trabalzini, Franco

2015-12-01

This study aims to compare the outcomes of patients with Meniere's disease submitted to either endolymphatic mastoid shunt (ES) or tenotomy of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles (TSTM). This is a retrospective chart review of patients treated with ES or TSTM between 2000 and 2010 and followed up for at least 12 months. The main outcomes were represented by: (1) vertigo class, hearing stage and functional level according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria; (2) adjustment of dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and (3) complete and substantial vertigo control using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Sixty-three patients met the inclusion criteria: 34 underwent ES and 29 TSTM. The baseline demographic characteristics, the hearing stage, the functional level, the DHI and hearing levels were not different between the two groups. No significant difference in vertigo class was demonstrated: 66 % of TSTM patients attained class A compared to 44 % in the ES group (p = 0.14). Kaplan-Meier survival curves specific to class A showed significant differences, favoring TSTM (log-rank test, p = 0.022). TSTM patients demonstrated significantly improved functional level (p = 0.0004) and improved DHI scores (p = 0.001). Eight ES patients (25 %) demanded a second surgical attempt compared to none in the TSTM. Aural fullness was significantly improved in TSTM group (p = 0.01), while the difference in tinnitus improvement was non-significant. Hearing preservation was significantly better in TSTM group (p = 0.001). TSTM is a safe surgical procedure, with significant vertigo control rates, and important hearing preservation rates. More patients and longer follow-up are needed to support our preliminary findings.

The Effects of Training and Other Factors on Problem Solving in Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Puran, Robabeh; Behzadi, Mohamad Hasan; Shahvarani, Ahmad; Lotfi, Farhad Hosseinzadeh

2017-01-01

The purpose of this article is to identify the factors which affect students' creative thinking in problem solving. The research which was performed was quasi-experimental. It used one experimental group and two control groups from three second-grade high school classes. They received either traditional, active or heuristic problem-solving…

Fostering Elementary Students' Mathematics Disposition through Music-Mathematics Integrated Lessons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

An, Song A.; Tillman, Daniel A.; Boren, Rachel; Wang, Junjun

2014-01-01

Two classes of third grade students (n = 56) from an elementary school located on the western coast of the United States participated in this research study. A pretest-posttest control group design was utilized to examine changes between two groups of participating students' in mathematics achievement and dispositions, including beliefs about…

Problem-Based Learning in the English Language Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Othman, Normala; Shah, Mohamed Ismail Ahamad

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the problem-based learning approach (PBL) on students in language classes in two areas: course content and language development. The study was conducted on 128 students, grouped into the experimental and control groups, and employed an experimental research design. The syllabus, textbook,…

Tech versus the Human Touch: Teacher Affect Is More Effective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry, Alan

2003-01-01

An experimental group studied Macbeth in an independent, constructivist setting using multimedia; the control group studied traditionally. Eleven of 23 experimental students and 2 of 21 in the traditional class failed. In an experiment with Hamlet, the results were reversed. Students were most successful when the teacher was actively involved,…

Promoting Behavior Change Among Working-Class, Multiethnic Workers: Results of the Healthy Directions—Small Business Study

PubMed Central

Sorensen, Glorian; Barbeau, Elizabeth; Stoddard, Anne M.; Hunt, Mary Kay; Kaphingst, Kimberly; Wallace, Lorraine

2005-01-01

Objectives. We examined the efficacy of a cancer prevention intervention designed to improve health behaviors among working-class, multiethnic populations employed in small manufacturing businesses. Methods. Worksites were randomly assigned to an intervention or minimal-intervention control condition. The intervention targeted fruit and vegetable consumption, red meat consumption, multivitamin use, and physical activity. Results. Employees in the intervention group showed greater improvements for every outcome compared with employees in the control group. Differences in improvement were statistically significant for multivitamin use and physical activity. Intervention effects were larger among workers than among managers for fruit and vegetable consumption and for physical activity. Conclusions. The social-context model holds promise for reducing disparities in health behaviors. Further research is needed to improve the effectiveness of the intervention. PMID:16006422

Occupational position, work stress and depressive symptoms: a pathway analysis of longitudinal SHARE data.

PubMed

Hoven, H; Wahrendorf, M; Siegrist, J

2015-05-01

Several studies tested whether stressful work mediates the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health. Although providing moderate support, evidence is still inconclusive, partly due to a lack of theory-based measures of SEP and work stress, and because of methodological limitations. This contribution aims at overcoming these limitations. We conduct pathway analysis and investigate indirect effects of SEP on mental health via stressful work. Data are derived from the first two waves of the 'Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe' (SHARE) with information from employed men and women aged 50-64 across 11 European countries (N=2798). SEP is measured according to two alternative measures of occupational position: occupational class (focus on employment relations) and occupational status (focus on prestige). We assess work stress according to the effort-reward imbalance and the demand-control model (wave 1), and we use newly occurring depressive symptoms as health outcome (wave 2). Effort-reward imbalance and, less consistently, low control mediate the effect of occupational class and occupational status on depressive symptoms. Our findings point to two important aspects of work stress (effort-reward imbalance and low control) in explaining socioeconomic differences in health. Further, we illustrate the significance of two alternative dimensions of occupational position, occupational class and occupational status. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Collaboration of chemistry instructional games and group investigation (Gi) model to improve learning outcome in high school students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puspita, Ita; Sugiyarto, Kristian H.; Ikhsan, Jaslin

2017-05-01

The aims of this research are to: (1) develop chemistry instructional games on reaction rate matter; and (2) reveal the collaboration of chemistry instructional games and group investigation model to improvement learning outcome in high school student. This study is research and development (R&D). The procedure of developing product was adapted from Borg & Gall that modified into three principal steps: product planning, product developing, and product evaluating. The product planning step consist of field study, literature study, and manufacturing product. Product developing was developed product using Adobe Flash Professional CS 6 program. The last, product evaluating was performed by year XI of high school students, uses experimental methods nonequivalent control-group design by control class and experiment class. The results of this research show that: (1) a software of chemistry instructional games successfully developed using Adobe Flash Professional CS 6 and can be run on Android device; and (2) the test results of students showed that the collaboration of instructional games and group investigation model able to improvement learning outcome of hight school student.

Skeletal pattern in subjects with temporomandibular joint disorders

PubMed Central

Almăşan, Oana Cristina; Almăşan, Horea Artimoniu; Bran, Simion; Lascu, Liana; Iancu, Mihaela; Băciuţ, Grigore

2013-01-01

Introduction To establish the skeletal pattern in subjects with malocclusions and temporomandibular disorders (TMD); to assess the relationship between craniofacial skeletal structures and TMD in subjects with malocclusions. Material and methods Sixty-four subjects with malocclusions, over 18 years of age, were included in the study. Temporomandibular disorders were clinically assessed according to the Helkimo Anamnestic Index. Subjects underwent a lateral cephalogram. Subjects were grouped according to the sagittal skeletal pattern (ANB angle) into class I, II and III. Parametric Student tests with equal or unequal variations were used (variations were previously tested with Levene test). Results Twenty-four patients with TMD (experimental sample); 40 patients without TMD (control group); interincisal angle was higher in class I and II (p < 0.05) experimental subjects; overjet was larger in experimental subjects; midline shift and Wits appraisal were broader in the experimental group in all three classes. In class III subjects, the SNB angle was higher in the experimental group (p = 0.01). Joint noises followed by reduced mandible mobility, muscular pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain were the most frequent symptoms in subjects with TMD and malocclusions. Conclusions Temporomandibular joint status is an important factor to consider when planning orthodontic treatment in patients with severe malocclusions; midline shift, large overjet and deep overbite have been associated with signs and symptoms of TMD. PMID:23515361

Use of early tactile stimulation in rehabilitation of digital nerve injuries.

PubMed

Cheng, A S

2000-01-01

Digital nerves are the most frequently injured peripheral nerve. To improve the recovery of functional sensibility of digital nerve injuries, a prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to see the effect of using early tactile stimulation in rehabilitation of digital nerve injuries. Two specific tactile stimulators were made and prescribed for patients with digital nerve-injury. Twenty-four participants with 32 digital nerve injuries received the prescribed tactile stimulators (experimental group), and another 25 participants with 33 digital nerve injuries received only routine conventional therapy (control group). A significant difference (p < .05) was seen in the experimental group, although there were some variations between the different classes of associated injuries, with least benefit observed in the combined nerve, tendon, and bone injury class. Use of early tactile stimulation as described in this study can be considered an effective way to improve both quality and quantity of recovery of functional sensibility in digital nerve injuries without combined nerve, tendon, and bone injuries.

Physically Active Math and Language Lessons Improve Academic Achievement: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Mullender-Wijnsma, Marijke J; Hartman, Esther; de Greeff, Johannes W; Doolaard, Simone; Bosker, Roel J; Visscher, Chris

2016-03-01

Using physical activity in the teaching of academic lessons is a new way of learning. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an innovative physically active academic intervention ("Fit & Vaardig op School" [F&V]) on academic achievement of children. Using physical activity to teach math and spelling lessons was studied in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Participants were 499 children (mean age 8.1 years) from second- and third-grade classes of 12 elementary schools. At each school, a second- and third-grade class were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in F&V lessons for 2 years, 22 weeks per year, 3 times a week. The control group participated in regular classroom lessons. Children's academic achievement was measured before the intervention started and after the first and second intervention years. Academic achievement was measured by 2 mathematics tests (speed and general math skills) and 2 language tests (reading and spelling). After 2 years, multilevel analysis showed that children in the intervention group had significantly greater gains in mathematics speed test (P < .001; effect size [ES] 0.51), general mathematics (P < .001; ES 0.42), and spelling (P < .001; ES 0.45) scores. This equates to 4 months more learning gains in comparison with the control group. No differences were found on the reading test. Physically active academic lessons significantly improved mathematics and spelling performance of elementary school children and are therefore a promising new way of teaching. Copyright © 2016 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The Impact of a Computer-Based Activity Program on the Social Functioning of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

PubMed

Dickinson, Kathleen; Place, Maurice

2016-06-01

Problems with social functioning are a major area of difficulty for children with autism. Such problems have the potential to exert a negative influence on several aspects of the children's functioning, including their ability to access education. This study looked to examine if a computer-based activity program could improve the social functioning of these children. Using a pooled subject design, 100 children with autistic spectrum disorder were randomly allocated, controlling where possible for age and gender, to either an intervention or a control group. The children in the intervention group were encouraged to use the Nintendo (Kyoto, Japan) Wii™ and the software package "Mario & Sonic at the Olympics" in addition to their routine school physical education classes over a 9-month period. The control group attended only the routine physical education classes. After 1 year, analysis of the changes in the scores of teacher-completed measures of social functioning showed that boys in the intervention group had made statistically significant improvement in their functioning when compared with controls. The number of girls in the study was too small for any change to reach statistical significance. This type of intervention appears to have potential as a mechanism to produce improvement in the social functioning, at least of boys, as part of a physical education program.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Liver Abscess After Thermal Ablation of Liver Neoplasm

PubMed Central

Su, Xiu-Feng; Li, Na; Chen, Xu-Fang; Zhang, Lei; Yan, Ming

2016-01-01

Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are the most frequently used thermal ablation methods for the treatment of liver cancer. Liver abscess is a common and severe complication of thermal ablation treatment. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of liver abscess formation after thermal ablation of liver cancer. Materials and Methods The clinical data of 423 patients who underwent 691 thermal ablation procedures for liver cancer were collected in order to retrospectively analyze the basic characteristics, incidence, and risk factors associated with liver abscess formation. Patients with multiple risk factors for liver abscess formation were enrolled in a risk factor group, and patients with no risk factors were enrolled in a control group. The chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of liver abscesses and potential risk factors. Results Two hundred and eight patients underwent 385 RFA procedures, and 185 patients underwent 306 MWA procedures. The total incidence of liver abscesses was 1.7%, while the rates in the RFA group (1.8%) and MWA groups (1.6%) were similar (P > 0.05). The rates of liver abscesses in patients who had child-pugh class B and class C cirrhosis (P = 0.0486), biliary tract disease (P = 0.0305), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.0344), and porta hepatis tumors (P = 0.0123) were 4.0%, 6.7%, 6.5%, and 13.0%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between these four groups and the control group (all P < 0.05). The incidence of liver abscesses in the combined ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) group (P = 0.0026) was significantly lower than that of the ablation group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The incidence of liver abscesses after liver cancer thermal ablation is low. Child-Pugh Class B and Class C cirrhosis, biliary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, and porta hepatis tumors are four significant risk factors. Combined ablation and PEI reduces the rate of liver abscesses. PMID:27642345

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide concentration in beta-thalassaemia patients.

PubMed

Aessopos, Athanasios; Farmakis, Dimitrios; Polonifi, Aikaterini; Tsironi, Maria; Fragodimitri, Christina; Hatziliami, Antonia; Karagiorga, Markisia; Diamanti-Kandarakis, Evanthia

2007-05-01

Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration has significant diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value in various forms of heart disease. Whether BNP is also useful in the evaluation and management of thalassaemia heart disease remains to be determined. Eighty three thalassaemia major patients; 8 with acutely decompensated heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV, group A), 25 with NYHA class II symptoms and impaired systolic left ventricular function (ejection fraction<55% or fractional shortening<30%, group B) and 50 with normal systolic function (group C), as well as 50 healthy controls, were studied. Assessment included history, physical examination, Doppler echocardiography and plasma BNP determination. Mean BNP levels were 431+/-219 pg/mL (range, 283-890 pg/mL) in group A, 158+/-31 pg/mL in group B, 176+/-54 pg/mL in group C and 43+/-24 pg/mL in controls. BNP levels were significantly higher in group A (p<0.001), but did not differ between groups B and C. Moreover, BNP was not correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular mass, right ventricular diameter index, Doppler diastolic indexes (except in group C), the mean 2-year serum ferritin concentration or the peak serum ferritin concentration in any of the three patient groups. A potential deficiency of BNP-related neurohormonal mechanisms may impair its clinical usefulness in thalassaemia major.

The Impact of Textual Input Enhancement and Explicit Rule Presentation on Iranian Elementary EFL Learners' Intake of Simple Past Tense

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nahavandi, Naemeh; Mukundan, Jayakaran

2013-01-01

The present study investigated the impact of textual input enhancement and explicit rule presentation on 93 Iranian EFL learners' intake of simple past tense. Three intact general English classes in Tabriz Azad University were randomly assigned to: 1) a control group; 2) a TIE group; and 3) a TIE plus explicit rule presentation group. All…

Effects of a Mathematics Intervention Program on the Computational Skills and Attitudes of Preservice Elementary and Secondary Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amodeo, Luiza B.; Emslie, Julia Rosa

Mathematics anxiety and competence of 57 Anglo and Hispanic pre-service teachers were measured before and after a 30-hour workshop using the training program EQUALS. Students were divided into three groups: elementary, secondary, and library media. Students in the library media class served as the control group; the other two groups were the…

Balance circuit classes to improve balance among rehabilitation inpatients: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Treacy, Daniel; Schurr, Karl; Sherrington, Catherine

2013-07-20

Impaired balance and mobility are common among rehabilitation inpatients. Poor balance and mobility lead to an increased risk of falling. Specific balance exercise has been shown to improve balance and reduce falls within the community setting. However few studies have measured the effects of balance exercises on balance within the inpatient setting. A single centre, randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis. One hundred and sixty two patients admitted to the general rehabilitation ward at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital will be recruited. Eligible participants will have no medical contraindications to exercise and will be able to: fully weight bear; stand unaided independently for at least 30 seconds; and participate in group therapy sessions with minimal supervision. Participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or usual-care control group. Both groups will receive standard rehabilitation intervention that includes physiotherapy mobility training and exercise for at least two hours on each week day. The intervention group will also receive six 1-hour circuit classes of supervised balance exercises designed to maximise the ability to make postural adjustments in standing, stepping and walking. The primary outcome is balance. Balance will be assessed by measuring the total time the participant can stand unsupported in five different positions; feet apart, feet together, semi-tandem, tandem and single-leg-stance. Secondary outcomes include mobility, self reported physical functioning, falls and hospital readmissions. Performance on the outcome measures will be assessed before randomisation and at two-weeks and three-months after randomisation by physiotherapists unaware of intervention group allocation. This study will determine the impact of additional balance circuit classes on balance among rehabilitation inpatients. The results will provide essential information to guide evidence-based physiotherapy at the study site as well as across other rehabilitation inpatient settings. The protocol for this study is registered with the Australian New Zealand, Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN=12611000412932.

School-Based Obesity Prevention Intervention in Chilean Children: Effective in Controlling, but not Reducing Obesity

PubMed Central

Kain, Juliana; Concha, Fernando; Moreno, Lorena; Leyton, Bárbara

2014-01-01

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-month multicomponent obesity prevention intervention. Setting. 9 elementary schools in Santiago, Chile. Subjects. 6–8 y old low-income children (N = 1474). Design. Randomized controlled study; 5 intervention/4 control schools. We trained teachers to deliver nutrition contents and improve the quality of PE classes. We determined % healthy snacks brought from home, children's nutrition knowledge, nutritional status, duration of PE classes, and % time in moderate/vigorous activity (MVA). Effectiveness was determined by comparing Δ BMI Z between intervention and control children using PROCMIXED. Results. % obesity increased in boys from both types of schools and in girls from control schools, while decreasing in girls from intervention schools (all nonsignificant). % class time in MVA declined (24.5–16.2) while remaining unchanged (24.8–23.7%) in classes conducted by untrained and trained teachers, respectively. In boys, BMI Z declined (1.33–1.24) and increased (1.22–1.35) in intervention and control schools, respectively. In girls, BMI Z remained unchanged in intervention schools, while increasing significantly in control schools (0.91–1.06, P = 0.024). Interaction group ∗ time was significant for boys (P < 0.0001) and girls (P = 0.004). Conclusions. This intervention was effective in controlling obesity, but not preventing it. Even though impact was small, results showed that when no intervention is implemented, obesity increases. PMID:24872892

The effect of early physiotherapy on the recovery of mandibular function after orthognathic surgery for class III correction. Part II: electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles.

PubMed

Ko, Ellen Wen-Ching; Teng, Terry Te-Yi; Huang, Chiung Shing; Chen, Yu-Ray

2015-01-01

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of early physical rehabilitation by comparing the differences of surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles after surgical correction of skeletal class III malocclusion. The prospective study included 63 patients; the experimental groups contained 31 patients who received early systematic physical rehabilitation; the control group (32 patients) did not receive physiotherapy. The amplitude of sEMG in the masticatory muscles reached 72.6-121.3% and 37.5-64.6% of pre-surgical values in the experimental and control groups respectively at 6 weeks after orthognathic surgery (OGS). At 6 months after OGS, the sEMG reached 135.1-233.4% and 89.6-122.5% of pre-surgical values in the experimental and control groups respectively. Most variables in the sEMG examination indicated that recovery of the masticatory muscles in the experimental group was better than the control group as estimated in the early phase (T1 to T2) and the total phase (T1 to T3); there were no significant differences between the mean recovery percentages in the later phase (T2 to T3). Early physical rehabilitative therapy is helpful for early recovery of muscle activity in masticatory muscles after OGS. After termination of physical therapy, no significant difference in recovery was indicated in patients with or without early physiotherapy. Copyright © 2014 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transfer of SIMNET Training in the Armor Officer Basic Course

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

group correctly performed more tasks in the posttest , but the difference was not statistically significant for these small samples. Gains from pretest ...to posttest were not compared statistically, but the field-trained group showed little average gain. Based on these results and other supporting data...that serve as a control group , and (b) SIMNET classes after the change that serve as a treatment group . The comparison is termed quasi - experimental

Differences in Weight-Related Behavioral Profiles by Sexual Orientation Among College Men: A Latent Class Analysis.

PubMed

VanKim, Nicole A; Erickson, Darin J; Eisenberg, Marla E; Lust, Katherine; Rosser, B R Simon; Laska, Melissa N

2016-11-01

To identify and describe homogenous classes of male college students based on their weight-related behaviors (e.g., eating habits, physical activity, and unhealthy weight control) and to examine differences by sexual orientation. Study design was a cross-sectional sample of 2- and 4-year college students. Study setting was forty-six 2- and 4-year colleges in Minnesota. Study subjects comprised 10,406 college males. Measures were five categories of sexual orientation derived from self-reported sexual identity and behavior (heterosexual, discordant heterosexual [identifies as heterosexual and engages in same-sex sexual behavior], gay, bisexual, and unsure) and nine weight-related behaviors (including measures for eating habits, physical activity, and unhealthy weight control). Latent class models were fit for each of the five sexual orientation groups, using the nine weight-related behaviors. Overall, four classes were identified: "healthier eating habits" (prevalence range, 39.4%-77.3%), "moderate eating habits" (12.0%-30.2%), "unhealthy weight control" (2.6%-30.4%), and "healthier eating habits, more physically active" (35.8%). Heterosexual males exhibited all four patterns, gay and unsure males exhibited four patterns that included variations on the overall classes identified, discordant heterosexual males exhibited two patterns ("healthier eating habits" and "unhealthy weight control"), and bisexual males exhibited three patterns ("healthier eating habits," "moderate eating habits," and "unhealthy weight control"). Findings highlight the need for multibehavioral interventions for discordant heterosexual, gay, bisexual, and unsure college males, particularly around encouraging physical activity and reducing unhealthy weight control behaviors. © 2016 by American Journal of Health Promotion, Inc.

Critical Thinking Skills of Students through Mathematics Learning with ASSURE Model Assisted by Software Autograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kristianti, Y.; Prabawanto, S.; Suhendra, S.

2017-09-01

This study aims to examine the ability of critical thinking and students who attain learning mathematics with learning model ASSURE assisted Autograph software. The design of this study was experimental group with pre-test and post-test control group. The experimental group obtained a mathematics learning with ASSURE-assisted model Autograph software and the control group acquired the mathematics learning with the conventional model. The data are obtained from the research results through critical thinking skills tests. This research was conducted at junior high school level with research population in one of junior high school student in Subang Regency of Lesson Year 2016/2017 and research sample of class VIII student in one of junior high school in Subang Regency for 2 classes. Analysis of research data is administered quantitatively. Quantitative data analysis was performed on the normalized gain level between the two sample groups using a one-way anova test. The results show that mathematics learning with ASSURE assisted model Autograph software can improve the critical thinking ability of junior high school students. Mathematical learning using ASSURE-assisted model Autograph software is significantly better in improving the critical thinking skills of junior high school students compared with conventional models.

Examining the Value of a Scaffolded Critique Framework to Promote Argumentative and Explanatory Writings Within an Argument-Based Inquiry Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Jeong-yoon; Hand, Brian

2017-12-01

This study investigated the value of using a scaffolded critique framework to promote two different types of writing—argumentative writing and explanatory writing—with different purposes within an argument-based inquiry approach known as the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH) approach. A quasi-experimental design with sixth and seventh grade students taught by two teachers was used. A total of 170 students participated in the study, with 87 in the control group (four classes) and 83 in the treatment group (four classes). All students used the SWH templates as an argumentative writing to guide their written work and completed these templates during the SWH investigations of each unit. After completing the SWH investigations, both groups of students were asked to complete the summary writing task as an explanatory writing at the end of each unit. All students' writing samples were scored using analytical frameworks developed for the study. The results indicated that the treatment group performed significantly better on the explanatory writing task than the control group. In addition, the results of the partial correlation suggested that there is a very strong significantly positive relationship between the argumentative writing and the explanatory writing.

Autoimmune kidney disease in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice inhibited by OK-432, a streptococcal preparation.

PubMed Central

Mihara, M; Ohsugi, Y

1989-01-01

Autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/l) mice were treated with the immunostimulating anti-cancer drug OK-432 (a streptococcal preparation), a potent inducer of tumour necrosis factor. Treatment was initiated at 8 weeks of age, before the onset of the autoimmune disease. OK-432 prevented the development of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in a dose-dependent manner, and prolonged the life in this strain of mice. At 36 weeks of age, the incidence of proteinuria was 90% in the controls, 60% in the 0.5-KE(1 KE = 0.1 mg) treatment group, and 33% in the 2.0-KE group. The 50% survival time was 23 weeks for the controls; 32 weeks for the 0.5-KE group; and greater than 36 weeks for the 2.0-KE group. Immune complex deposition in glomeruli was significantly reduced in the treated groups. The IgM class of serum autoantibody levels was significantly increased by OK-432 treatment but the IgG class was almost unchanged. Furthermore, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were not suppressed. The results indicate that OK-432 may be useful in the treatment of autoimmune disease in humans. PMID:2805413

Prevalence and characteristics of addictive behaviors in a community sample: A latent class analysis.

PubMed

Deleuze, Jory; Rochat, Lucien; Romo, Lucia; Van der Linden, Martial; Achab, Sophia; Thorens, Gabriel; Khazaal, Yasser; Zullino, Daniele; Maurage, Pierre; Rothen, Stéphane; Billieux, Joël

2015-06-01

While addictions to substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs have been extensively investigated, interest has been growing in potential non-substance-related addictive behaviors (e.g., excessive gambling, buying or playing video games). In the current study, we sought to determine the prevalence and characteristics of a wide range of addictive behaviors in a general population sample and to identify reliable subgroups of individuals displaying addictive behaviors. Seven hundred seventy participants completed an online survey. The survey screened for the presence and characteristics of the main recognized substance and behavioral addictions (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, other drugs, gambling, compulsive shopping, intensive exercise, Internet and mobile phone overuse, intensive work involvement, and overeating) in a three-month period. Key aspects of addiction were measured for each reported behavior, including negative outcomes, emotional triggers (positive and negative emotional contexts), search for stimulation or pleasure, loss of control, and cognitive salience. Latent class analysis allowed us to identify three theoretically and clinically relevant subgroups of individuals. The first class groups problematic users, i.e., addiction-prone individuals. The second class groups at-risk users who frequently engage in potentially addictive behaviors to regulate emotional states (especially overinvolvement in common behaviors such as eating, working, or buying). The third class groups individuals who are not prone to addictive behaviors. The existence of different groups in the population sheds new light on the distinction between problematic and non-problematic addiction-like behaviors.

The effect of conceptual metaphors through guided inquiry on student's conceptual change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menia, Meli; Mudzakir, Ahmad; Rochintaniawati, Diana

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study was to identify student's conceptual change of global warming after integrated science learning based guided inquiry through conceptual metaphors. This study used a quasi-experimental with a nonequivalent control group design. The subject was students of two classes of one of MTsN Salido. Data was collected using conceptual change test (pretest and posttest), observation sheet to observe the learning processes, questionnaire sheet to identify students responses, and interview to identifyteacher'srespons of science learning with conceptual metaphors. The results showed that science learning based guided inquiry with conceptual metaphors is better than science learning without conceptual metaphors. The average of posttest experimental class was 79,40 and control class was 66,09. The student's conceptual change for two classes changed significantly byusing mann whitney U testwith P= 0,003(P less than sig. value, P< 0,05). This means that there was differenceson student's conceptual changebeetwen integrated science learning based guided inquiry with conceptual metaphors class and integrated science learning without conceptual metaphors class. The study also showed that teachers and studentsgive positive responsesto implementation of integrated science learning based guided inquiry with conceptual metaphors.

The Effectiveness of Using Interactive Multimedia in Improving the Concept of Fashion Design and Its Application in The Making of Digital Fashion Design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiana, W.

2018-02-01

This research is related to the effort to design a more representative learning system to improve the learning result of digital fashion design, through the development of interactive multimedia based on motion graphic. This research is aimed to know the effect of interactive multimedia application based on motion graphic to increase the mastery of the concept and skill of the students to making fashion designing in digital format. The research method used is quasi experiment with research design of Non-equivalent Control Group Design. The lectures are conducted in two different classes, namely class A as the Experimental Class and class B as the Control Class. From the calculation result after interpreted using Normalize Gain, there is an increase of higher learning result in student with interactive learning based on motion graphic, compared with student achievement on conventional learning. In this research, interactive multimedia learning based on motion graphic is effective toward the improvement of student learning in concept mastering indicator and on the aspect of making fashion design in digital format.

GeoGebra Assist Discovery Learning Model for Problem Solving Ability and Attitude toward Mathematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murni, V.; Sariyasa, S.; Ardana, I. M.

2017-09-01

This study aims to describe the effet of GeoGebra utilization in the discovery learning model on mathematical problem solving ability and students’ attitude toward mathematics. This research was quasi experimental and post-test only control group design was used in this study. The population in this study was 181 of students. The sampling technique used was cluster random sampling, so the sample in this study was 120 students divided into 4 classes, 2 classes for the experimental class and 2 classes for the control class. Data were analyzed by using one way MANOVA. The results of data analysis showed that the utilization of GeoGebra in discovery learning can lead to solving problems and attitudes towards mathematics are better. This is because the presentation of problems using geogebra can assist students in identifying and solving problems and attracting students’ interest because geogebra provides an immediate response process to students. The results of the research are the utilization of geogebra in the discovery learning can be applied in learning and teaching wider subject matter, beside subject matter in this study.

Teacher Attendance at a Summer Institute and High School Student Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thelen, L. J.; Litsky, Warren

1972-01-01

Students of teachers who had attended a summer institute on water pollution control performed better on an achievement test at the end of the following school year than classes of teachers with equivalent qualifications who were not selected for the institute. Other control groups of students were also used. (AL)

Degree of Bilingualism Modifies Executive Control in Hispanic Children in the USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas-Sunesson, Danielle; Hakuta, Kenji; Bialystok, Ellen

2018-01-01

Past studies examining the cognitive function of bilingual school-aged children have pointed to enhancements in areas of executive control relative to age-matched monolingual children. The majority of these studies has tested children from a middle-class background and compared performance of bilinguals as a discrete group against monolinguals.…

Effect of Training in Math Metacognitive Strategy on Fractional Achievement of Nigerian Schoolchildren

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Onu, V. C.; Eskay, M.; Igbo, J. N.; Obiyo, N.; Agbo, O.

2012-01-01

This study examined the effect of training in math metacognition on fractional mathematics among primary school pupils, with a quasi-experimental design, specifically a post-test only control group design. Two intact classes were randomly selected and assigned to treatment and control conditions. Sixty primary six pupils constituted the sample…

Conceptual writing in college-level mathematics courses and its impact on performance and attitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Dyke, Frances; Malloy, Elizabeth J.; (Lyn) Stallings, Virginia

2015-02-01

This study looks at the impact of college students' writing on a regular basis about mathematical concepts. Specifically we examine the effect of this practice on performance and attitude while controlling for confounding factors. Two professors and a total of 97 students in four different classes participated in the study. Students in the writing groups were required to write a total of eight papers, each concentrating on an important concept in the course. All students were given a visual skills assessment at the beginning and end of the course. Students in the writing group were assessed to determine their attitude toward the writing assignments. Positive trends were associated with the writing group over the non-writing group in overall score and in all but one of six individual components. However, within the writing group, students' attitude toward writing in mathematics class was negative.

School-based mindfulness intervention for stress reduction in adolescents: Design and methodology of an open-label, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Johnstone, Jeanette M; Roake, Chelsea; Sheikh, Ifrah; Mole, Ashlie; Nigg, Joel T; Oken, Barry

2016-12-15

Adolescents are in a high-risk period developmentally, in terms of susceptibility to stress. A mindfulness intervention represents a potentially useful strategy for developing cognitive and emotion regulation skills associated with successful stress coping. Mindfulness strategies have been used successfully for emotional coping in adults, but are not as well studied in youth. This article details a novel proposal for the design of an 8-week randomized study to evaluate a high school-based mindfulness curriculum delivered as part of a two semester health class. A wellness education intervention is proposed as an active control, along with a waitlist control condition. All students enrolled in a sophomore (10 th grade) health class at a private suburban high school will be invited to participate ( n = 300). Pre-test assessments will be obtained by youth report, parent ratings, and on-site behavioral testing. The assessments will evaluate baseline stress, mood, emotional coping, controlled attention, and working memory. Participants, divided into 13 classrooms, will be randomized into one of three conditions, by classroom: A mindfulness intervention, an active control (wellness education), and a passive control (waitlist). Waitlisted participants will receive one of the interventions in the following term. Intervention groups will meet weekly for 8 weeks during regularly scheduled health classes. Immediate post-tests will be conducted, followed by a 60-day post-test. It is hypothesized that the mindfulness intervention will outperform the other conditions with regard to the adolescents' mood, attention and response to stress.

Comparative evaluation of guided tissue regeneration with use of collagen-based barrier freeze-dried dura mater allograft for mandibular class 2 furcation defects (a comparative controlled clinical study).

PubMed

Patel, Sandeep; Kubavat, Ajay; Ruparelia, Brijesh; Agarwal, Arvind; Panda, Anup

2012-01-01

The aim of periodontal surgery is complete regeneration. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare clinically soft tissue changes in form of probing pocket depth, gingival shrinkage, attachment level and hard tissue changes in form of horizontal and vertical bone level using resorbable membranes. Twelve subjects with bilateral class 2 furcation defects were selected. After initial phase one treatment, open debridement was performed in control site while freezedried dura mater allograft was used in experimental site. Soft and hard tissue parameters were registered intrasurgically. Nine months reentry ensured better understanding and evaluation of the final outcome of the study. Guided tissue regeneration is a predictable treatment modality for class 2 furcation defect. There was statistically significant reduction in pocket depth as compared to control (p < 0.01). There is statistically significant increase in periodontal attachment level within control and experimental sites showed better results (p < 0.01). For hard tissue parameter, significant defect fill resulted in experimental group, while in control group, less significant defect fill was found in horizontal direction and nonsignificant defect fill was found in vertical direction. The results showed statistically significant improvement in soft and hard tissue parameters and less gingival shrinkage in experimental sites compared to control site. The use of FDDMA in furcation defects helps us to achieve predictable results. This cross-linked collagen membrane has better handling properties and ease of procurement as well as economic viability making it a logical material to be used in regenerative surgeries.

Effectiveness of an e-learning tool for education on pressure ulcer evaluation.

PubMed

Morente, Laura; Morales-Asencio, José M; Veredas, Francisco J

2014-07-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of information and communication technologies in the undergraduate students' pressure ulcer training as a learning tool, compared with traditional teaching methods. Pressure ulcers constitute one of the great challenges faced by nursing professionals. Currently, pressure ulcer training is based on traditional on-campus teaching, involving lecture-style classes with frequent use of photographs of the wounds. This traditional training has some important weaknesses that can put the efficacy of the training at risk. A randomised controlled trial was developed including undergraduate nursing students. The intervention group used an adaptive self-learning e-learning tool developed by the research team (ePULab) for pressure ulcer assessment and treatment. The control group received a traditional on-campus class on the same topic. Pretest and post-test questionnaires were designed to assess the students' ability in pressure ulcer diagnosis and treatment. The educational intervention based on the use of the ePULab tool produced significantly better learning acquisition results than those obtained by traditional lecture-style classes: the total score improved in the control group from 8·23 (SD 1·23)-11·6 (SD 2·52) after the lecture, whereas in the intervention group, the knowledge score changed from 8·27 (SD 1·39)-15·83 (SD 2·52) (p = 0·01) with the use of ePULab. The results show a higher effectiveness of the devised e-learning approach for education on management of pressure ulcers. Our results reveal the suitability of the ePULab e-learning tool as an effective instrument for training on assessment of and treatment for pressure ulcers and its potential impact on clinical decision-making. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Church-based social marketing to motivate older adults to take balance classes for fall prevention: cluster randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

DiGuiseppi, Carolyn G; Thoreson, Sallie R; Clark, Lauren; Goss, Cynthia W; Marosits, Mark J; Currie, Dustin W; Lezotte, Dennis C

2014-10-01

Determine whether a church-based social marketing program increases older adults' participation in balance classes for fall prevention. In 2009-10, 51 churches (7101 total members aged ≥ 60) in Colorado, U.S.A. were randomized to receive no intervention or a social marketing program. The program highlighted benefits of class participation (staying independent, building relationships), reduced potential barriers (providing convenient, subsidized classes), and communicated marketing messages through church leaders, trained "messengers," printed materials and church-based communication channels. Between-group differences in balance class enrollment and marketing message recall among congregants were compared using Wilcoxon Two-Sample Test and regression models. Compared to 25 control churches, 26 churches receiving the social marketing program had a higher median proportion (9.8% vs. 0.3%; p<0.001) and mean number (7.0 vs. 0.5; IRR=11.2 [95%CI: 7.5, 16.8]) of older adult congregants who joined balance classes. Intervention church members were also more likely to recall information about preventing falls with balance classes (AOR=6.2; 95% CI: 2.6, 14.8) and availability of classes locally (AOR=7.7; 95% CI: 2.6, 22.9). Church-based social marketing effectively disseminated messages about preventing falls through balance classes and, by emphasizing benefits and reducing barriers and costs of participation, successfully motivated older adults to enroll in the classes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study of HLA Class I gene in Indian schizophrenic patients of Siliguri, West Bengal.

PubMed

Singh, Bisu; Bera, Nirmal Kumar; De, Santanu; Nayak, Chittaranjan; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar

2011-09-30

The authors studied the prevalence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I gene in 136 (85 male, 51 female) India-born schizophrenia patients residing in and around the Siliguri subdivision of West Bengal by the PCR-SSP method. The control group consisted of 150 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals from the same ethnic group as the patients. Increased frequency of HLA A*03 as well as decreased frequencies of HLA A*31 and HLA B*51, was noted. The study suggests the possible existence of a susceptibility locus for schizophrenia within the HLA region. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Changes of humoral anti-endotoxin immunity and low-intensity inflammation in diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2.

PubMed

Gordienko, A I; Beloglazov, V A; Kubyshkin, A V

2016-01-01

The purpose. Investigate the levels of different classes serum anti-endotoxin antibodies in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 and to hold the cluster analysis of the relationship between the individual levels of such antibodies and the concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood. We examined 51 patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 60 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2 has been delivered in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization. The control group included 49 healthy people who have not a history of any chronic disease, and the clinical manifestations of acute diseases were absent at the time of the survey. By sex and age, the control group of healthy people matched to a group of patients with diabetes type 1 and type 2. The concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood and the levels of serum anti-endotoxin antibodies of different classes (A, M and G) was determined by ELISA. Using cluster analysis revealed that 40.8% of patients with type 1 diabetes increased concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood is associated with a significant reduction of levels of serum anti-endotoxin antibodies classes A, M and G. In 56.7% of patients with type 2 diabetes the high concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood levels of serum anti-endotoxin antibody classes A and M were not significantly different from the normal values, but the levels of serum anti-endotoxin antibodies of class G were significantly increased. The activation of inflammation with a further increase of C-reactive protein in the blood of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanied by a significant increase in levels of serum anti-endotoxin antibodies classes A and G, and also a tendency to reduce of levels anti-endotoxin antibodies class M. The results suggest about the relationship between low-intensity inflammation and immune response to enterobacterial endotoxins in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2.

Correlating Transport with Nanostructure and Chemical Identity in Radical Polymer Conducting Glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudouris, Bryan; Rostro, Lizbeth; Baradwaj, Aditya; Hay, Martha

2015-03-01

Radical polymers are an emerging class of macromolecules that are composed of non-conjugated backbones which bear stable radical groups at the pendant positions. Because of these stable radical sites, these glassy materials are able to conduct charge in the solid state through a series of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. Importantly, the redox-active behavior is controlled by both the local chemical environment of the radical polymer groups and by the nanoscale structure of the materials. Here, we demonstrate that proper control of the pendant group chemical functionality allows for the fabrication of transparent and conducting amorphous thin films which have solid-state hole mobility and electrical conductivity values on the same order as those seen in common conjugated, semicrystalline polymer systems [e.g., poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)]. Furthermore, we show that control of the nanostructure of the materials aids in facilitating transport in these radical polymer thin films. In turn, we implement simultaneous spectroscopic and electrical characterization measurements in order to elucidate the exact mechanism of charge transport in radical polymers. Finally, we demonstrate that, because there is ready control over the molecular properties of these materials, developing bendable and stretchable transparent conducting thin films is relatively straightforward with this unique class of organic electronic materials.

Fewer and better children: race, class, religion, and birth control reform in America.

PubMed

Wilde, Melissa J; Danielsen, Sabrina

2014-05-01

In the early 20th century, contraceptives were illegal and, for many, especially religious groups, taboo. But, in the span of just two years, between 1929 and 1931, many of the United States' most prominent religious groups pronounced contraceptives to be moral and began advocating for the laws restricting them to be repealed. Met with everything from support, to silence, to outright condemnation by other religious groups, these pronouncements and the debates they caused divided the American religious field by an issue of sex and gender for the first time. This article explains why America's religious groups took the positions they did at this crucial moment in history. In doing so, it demonstrates that the politics of sex and gender that divide American religion today is deeply rooted in century-old inequalities of race and class.

Differences in energy expenditure, amount of physical activity and physical exertion level during a Zumba fitness class among adult women who are normal weight, overweight and obese.

PubMed

Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Barraza-Gómez, Fernando; Báez-San Martin, Eduardo; Araneda, Oscar F; Zavala, Juan P; Hecht, Gernot K; Tuesta, Marcelo

2018-01-01

One of the most popular expressions of massive group classes of aerobic physical activity is Zumba fitness. The aim of the study was to compare and relate the energy expenditure and the amount and intensity of physical effort during a Zumba fitness class in women with different Body Mass Index (BMI). Body displacements of 61 adult women who performed a one-hour Zumba session were evaluated with triaxial accelerometers. In order to observe the effect of BMI women were divided into normal weight (N.=26), overweight (N.=21) and obese groups (N.=14). The average number of steps was 4533.3±1351 and the percentage of total class time of moderate to vigorous intensity (% MVPA) was 53.8±14.4%. The metabolic intensity average was 3.64±1.1 MET, with an energy expenditure by total body mass of 3.9±1.6 kcal/kg. When analyzing groups, the normal weight group had a greater number of steps (5184.2±1561.1 steps/class) compared to overweight (4244.8±1049.3 steps/class) and obese women (3756.9±685.7 steps/class) with P<0.05. Also, the normal weight group spent a lower percentage of class time at the lower levels of intensity (sedentary and lifestyle activity levels) and more time at the highest levels (vigorous and very vigorous) compared to obese women (P<0.05). Participants with a normal weight obtained a higher % MVPA (62.1±15%) compared to overweight (50.1±9.4%) and obese (44.1±11.9%) groups with P<0.05. A metabolic intensity of 4.6±1.9 MET in the normal weight group was higher compared to 3.5±1.0 MET in the overweight (P<0.05) and 3.1±1.2 MET in the obese group (P<0.05), was observed. The subjective perception of effort was 7.84±0.9 (Borg CR 10), no differences between groups. Also we observed in all participants that at higher BMI values, there were lower energy expenditure values per kilo of weight (r=-0.40; P<0.001), metabolic intensity (r=-0.39; P<0.001), step counts (r=-0.43; P<0.001) and % MVPA (r=-0.50; P<0.001). These results show that a higher BMI is associated with a lower intensity of effort, energy expenditure and amount of physical activity during a one-hour Zumba class, restricting to overweight and obese women to achieving the effort parameters recommended to control weight and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Impact of a Tutored Theoretical-Practical Training to Develop Undergraduate Students’ Skills for the Detection of Caries Lesions: Study Protocol for a Multicenter Controlled Randomized Study

PubMed Central

Ferreira, Fernanda Rosche; Mendes, Fausto Medeiros; Raggio, Daniela Prócida; Imparato, José Carlos; Bonecker, Marcelo; Magalhães, Ana Carolina; Wang, Linda; Rios, Daniela; Pessan, Juliano Pelim; Duque, Cristiane; Rebelo, Maria Augusta Bessa; Alves Filho, Ary Oliveira; Lima, Marina De Deus Moura; Moura, Marcoeli Silva; De Carli, Alessandro Diogo; Sanabe, Mariane Emi; Cenci, Maximiliano Sergio; Oliveira, Elenara Ferreira; Correa, Marcos Britto; Rocha, Rachel Oliveira; Zenkner, Julio Eduardo; Murisí, Pedroza Uribe; Martignon, Stefania; Lara, Juan Sebastian; Aquino, Fatima Gabriela; Carrillo, Alfredo; Chu, Chun Hung; Deery, Chris; Ricketts, David; Melo, Paulo; Antunes, José Leopoldo Ferreira; Ekstrand, Kim Rud

2017-01-01

Background Tutored laboratorial activities could be a manner of improving the competency development of students. However, its impact over conventional theoretical classes has not yet been tested. Additionally, different university contexts could influence this issue and should be explored. Objective To assess the impact of a tutored theoretical-practical training for teaching undergraduate students to detect caries lesions as compared with theoretical teaching activities. The impact of these teaching/learning activities will be assessed in terms of efficacy, cost/benefit, retention of knowledge/acquired competences, and student acceptability. Methods Sixteen centers (7 centers from Brazil and 9 centers from other countries throughout the world) are involved in the inclusion of subjects for this protocol. A randomized controlled study with parallel groups will be conducted. One group (control) will be exposed to a 60- to 90-minute conventional theoretical class and the other group (test) will be exposed to the same theoretical class and also a 90-minute laboratory class, including exercises and discussions based on the evaluation of a pool of images and extracted teeth. The mentioned outcomes will be evaluated immediately after the teaching activities and also in medium- and long-term analyses. To compare the long-term outcomes, students who enrolled in the university before the participating students will be interviewed for data collection and these data will be used as a control and compared with the trained group. This stage will be a nonrandomized phase of this study, nested in the main study. Appropriate statistical analysis will be performed according to the aims of this study. Variables related to the centers will also be analyzed and used to model adjustment as possible sources of variability among results. Results This ongoing study is funded by a Brazilian national funding agency (CNPq- 400736/2014-4). We expect that the tutored theoretical-practical training will improve the undergraduate students’ performance in the detection of caries lesions and subsequent treatment decisions, mainly in terms of long-term retention of knowledge. Our hypothesis is that tutored theoretical-practical training is a more cost-effective option for teaching undergraduate students to detect caries lesions. Conclusions If our hypothesis is confirmed, the use of laboratory training in conjunction with theoretical classes could be used as an educational strategy in Cariology to improve the development of undergraduate students’ skills in the detection of caries lesions and clinical decision-making. PMID:28814381

Effectiveness of physical activity intervention among government employees with metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Huei Phing, Chee; Abu Saad, Hazizi; Barakatun Nisak, M Y; Mohd Nasir, M T

2017-12-01

Our study aimed to assess the effects of physical activity interventions via standing banners (point-of-decision prompt) and aerobics classes to promote physical activity among individuals with metabolic syndrome. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled intervention trial (16-week intervention and 8-week follow-up). Malaysian government employees in Putrajaya, Malaysia, with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned by cluster to a point-of-decision prompt group (n = 44), an aerobics group (n = 42) or a control group (n = 103) based on sample size calculation formula. Step counts were evaluated by Lifecorder e-STEP accelerometers for all participants. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 'harmonizing' definition, in which individuals who have at least three of the five metabolic risk factors (waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) will be classified as having metabolic syndrome. A total of 80% of the enrolled government employees with metabolic syndrome completed the programme. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 20, SPSS, Chicago, IL). There were significantly higher step counts on average in the aerobics group compared to the control group over assessments. Assessments at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up showed a significant difference in step counts between the intervention and control groups. The greatest reductions in the proportions of individuals with metabolic syndrome were observed in the aerobics group with a reduction of 79.4% in the post-intervention assessment compared to the assessment at baseline. The findings of this study suggest that physical activity intervention via aerobics classes is an effective strategy for improving step counts and reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

Antihypertensive drug use in resistant and nonresistant hypertension and in controlled and uncontrolled resistant hypertension.

PubMed

de la Sierra, Alejandro; Armario, Pedro; Oliveras, Anna; Banegas, José R; Gorostidi, Manuel; Vinyoles, Ernest; de la Cruz, Juan J; Segura, Julián; Ruilope, Luis M

2018-07-01

Treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) is associated with particular clinical features, nonadherence, and suboptimal treatment. We assessed possible associations of antihypertensive drug classes, specific agents inside each class, and types of combinations, with the presence of non-TRH vs. TRH, and with controlled vs. uncontrolled TRH. Comparisons were done in 14 264 patients treated with three drugs (non-TRH: 2988; TRH: 11 276) and in 6974 treated with at least four drugs (controlled TRH: 1383; uncontrolled TRH: 5591). Associations were adjusted for age, sex, and previous cardiovascular event. In both groups of patients treated with three or with at least four drugs, aldosterone antagonists among drug classes [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.82 and 1.41, respectively], and ramipril (OR: 1.28 and 1.30), olmesartan (OR: 1.31 and 1.37), and amlodipine (OR: 1.11 and 1.41) inside each class were significantly associated with blood pressure control (non-TRH or controlled TRH). In patients treated with three drugs, non-TRH was also associated with the use of chlorthalidone (OR: 1.50) and bisoprolol (OR: 1.19), whereas in patients treated with at least four drugs, controlled TRH was significantly associated with the triple combination of a renin-angiotensin system blocker, a calcium channel blocker, and a diuretic (OR: 1.17). The use of aldosterone antagonists is associated with blood pressure control in patients treated with three or more drugs. Similar results are observed with specific agents inside each class, being ramipril, olmesartan, chlorthalidone, amlodipine, and bisoprolol those exhibiting significant results. An increased use of these drugs might probably reduce the burden of TRH.

ERAP2 functional knockout in humans does not alter surface heavy chains or HLA-B27, inflammatory cytokines or endoplasmic reticulum stress markers.

PubMed

Robinson, Philip C; Lau, Eugene; Keith, Patricia; Lau, Max C; Thomas, Gethin P; Bradbury, Linda A; Brown, Matthew A; Kenna, Tony J

2015-11-01

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in ERAP2 are strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). One AS-associated single nucleotide polymorphism, rs2248374, causes a truncated ERAP2 protein that is degraded by nonsense-mediated decay. Approximately 25% of the populations of European ancestry are therefore natural ERAP2 knockouts. We investigated the effect of this associated variant on HLA class I allele presentation, surface heavy chains, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and cytokine gene transcription in AS. Patients with AS and healthy controls with either AA or GG homozygous status for rs2248374 were studied. Antibodies to CD14, CD19-ECD, HLA-A-B-C, Valpha7.2, CD161, anti-HC10 and anti-HLA-B27 were used to analyse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Expression levels of ER stress markers (GRP78 and CHOP) and proinflammatory genes (tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL6, IL17 and IL22) were assessed by qPCR. There was no significant difference in HLA-class I allele presentation or major histocompatibility class I heavy chains or ER stress markers GRP78 and CHOP or proinflammatory gene expression between genotypes for rs2248374 either between cases, between cases and controls, and between controls. Large differences were not seen in HLA-B27 expression or cytokine levels between subjects with and without ERAP2 in AS cases and controls. This suggests that ERAP2 is more likely to influence AS risk through other mechanisms. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Case-Based Collaborative Learning via Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Krupat, Edward; Richards, Jeremy B; Sullivan, Amy M; Fleenor, Thomas J; Schwartzstein, Richard M

2016-05-01

Case-based collaborative learning (CBCL) is a novel small-group approach that borrows from team-based learning principles and incorporates elements of problem-based learning (PBL) and case-based learning. CBCL includes a preclass readiness assurance process and case-based in-class activities in which students respond to focused, open-ended questions individually, discuss their answers in groups of 4, and then reach consensus in larger groups of 16. This study introduces CBCL and assesses its effectiveness in one course at Harvard Medical School. In a 2013 randomized controlled trial, 64 medical and dental student volunteers were assigned randomly to one of four 8-person PBL tutorial groups (control; n = 32) or one of two 16-person CBCL tutorial groups (experimental condition; n = 32) as part of a required first-year physiology course. Outcomes for the PBL and CBCL groups were compared using final exam scores, student responses to a postcourse survey, and behavioral coding of portions of video-recorded class sessions. Overall, the course final exam scores for CBCL and PBL students were not significantly different. However, CBCL students whose mean exam performance in prior courses was below the participant median scored significantly higher than their PBL counterparts on the physiology course final exam. The most common adjectives students used to describe CBCL were "engaging," "fun," and "thought-provoking." Coding of observed behaviors indicated that individual affect was significantly higher in the CBCL groups than in the PBL groups. CBCL is a viable, engaging, active learning method. It may particularly benefit students with lower academic performance.

Introducing a flipped classroom to engineering students: A case study in mechanics of materials course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suwapaet, Nuchida

2018-03-01

Flipped classroom is basically a reversed way of learning in classroom. Lecture is brought outside classroom and available online in many forms such as video lecture and e-books. In-class time is focused more on discussions and practices such as exercises and projects. Flipped classroom was introduced to Mechanical Engineering students in Mechanics of Materials course in 2016 academic year at Mahasarakham University, Thailand. The course was still taught in traditional way and series of video lecture were used as additional class materials outside classroom. There were 2 groups of students that enrolled in the course in 2 different semesters. Students in 1st semester were taught in traditional way (control group) and students in 2nd semester were used flipped classroom (experiment group). Students' grades between 2 groups were compared and analyzed. Satisfaction survey of using flipped classroom was carried out and evaluated. There were 3 aspects of evaluation which were content, varieties of activity, and functions. Results showed that the course's GPA of experiment group was 1.92 which was greater than the control group of 1.68. The greatly reduction of failed students in experiment group was noticeable. The percentages of failed students of control and experiment groups were 17% and 6%. Satisfaction survey evaluation results showed that the students satisfied in high level in every aspect. The comments pointed out that flipped classroom were easy to use and promoted self-study outside classroom. Those qualities would help students develop more skills in lifelong learning and learning to learn.

Effects of early activator treatment in patients with class II malocclusion evaluated by thin-plate spline analysis.

PubMed

Lux, C J; Rübel, J; Starke, J; Conradt, C; Stellzig, P A; Komposch, P G

2001-04-01

The aim of the present longitudinal cephalometric study was to evaluate the dentofacial shape changes induced by activator treatment between 9.5 and 11.5 years in male Class II patients. For a rigorous morphometric analysis, a thin-plate spline analysis was performed to assess and visualize dental and skeletal craniofacial changes. Twenty male patients with a skeletal Class II malrelationship and increased overjet who had been treated at the University of Heidelberg with a modified Andresen-Häupl-type activator were compared with a control group of 15 untreated male subjects of the Belfast Growth Study. The shape changes for each group were visualized on thin-plate splines with one spline comprising all 13 landmarks to show all the craniofacial shape changes, including skeletal and dento-alveolar reactions, and a second spline based on 7 landmarks to visualize only the skeletal changes. In the activator group, the grid deformation of the total spline pointed to a strong activator-induced reduction of the overjet that was caused both by a tipping of the incisors and by a moderation of sagittal discrepancies, particularly a slight advancement of the mandible. In contrast with this, in the control group, only slight localized shape changes could be detected. Both in the 7- and 13-landmark configurations, the shape changes between the groups differed significantly at P < .001. In the present study, the morphometric approach of thin-plate spline analysis turned out to be a useful morphometric supplement to conventional cephalometrics because the complex patterns of shape change could be suggestively visualized.

Intergenerational volunteering and quality of life: mixed methods evaluation of a randomized control trial involving persons with mild to moderate dementia.

PubMed

George, Daniel R

2011-09-01

This article reports on a mixed methods evaluation of a randomized control trial in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, that assessed whether an intergenerational volunteering intervention could enhance quality of life (QOL) for persons with mild to moderate dementia. Fifteen participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in hour-long volunteer sessions with a kindergarten class and an older elementary class in alternating weeks over a 5-month interval. Psychometric data on cognitive functioning, stress, depression, sense of purpose, and sense of usefulness were collected at baseline and at the close of the intervention, and change scores were computed and analyzed for all variables. Ethnography was carried out through the duration of the study, and narrative interviews were held with participants and caregivers. A modified grounded theory approach was used for qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in stress for the intervention group. Qualitative analysis identified three main pathways through which intergenerational volunteering affected QOL: perceived health benefits, sense of purpose and sense of usefulness, and relationships. Mixed methods evaluation demonstrated that intergenerational volunteering might enhance quality of life through several key pathways, most significantly reduced stress.

Effects of Lecture, Teacher Demonstrations, Discussion and Practical Work on 10th Graders' Attitudes to Chemistry and Understanding of Electrolysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Jerome; Soyibo, Kola

2002-01-01

Investigates whether the use of the combination of lecture, teacher demonstrations, class discussion, and student practical work in small groups significantly improved experimental subjects' attitudes to chemistry and understanding of electrolysis more than their control group counterparts who were not exposed to practical work. Examines whether…

Online Instructional Videos as a Complimentary Method of Teaching Practical Rehabilitation Skills for Groups and Individuals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cooper, Darren; Higgins, Steve; Beckmann, Nadin

2017-01-01

Online instructional videos are becoming increasingly common within education. This study adopts a quasi-experimental 2 × 2 crossover design (control and experimental groups) to evaluate the efficacy of instructional videos to teach practical rehabilitation skills. The students performed practical sessions in class and were formatively assessed by…

ANIMATED SERIAL SECTIONS, A TEACHING AID FOR ORAL HISTOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

HAYDEN, JESS; AND OTHERS

THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO TYPES OF VISUAL MEDIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONCEPT OF A GIVEN ANATOMICAL REGION WAS INVESTIGATED. EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUPS WERE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM 119 FIRST-YEAR MEDICAL AND DENTAL STUDENTS IN AN HISTOLOGY CLASS. BOTH GROUPS ATTENDED THE SAME ONE-HOUR LECTURE. FOLLOWING THE LECTURE…

Do Choices in Physical Education Enhance Students' Autonomous Motivation, Perceived Autonomy Support, and Physical Activity Levels?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Batia, Abigail S.

2013-01-01

This study examined whether students in an intervention group, who were given choices within physical education (PE), reported greater autonomous motivation, more favorable perceptions of autonomy support, and displayed higher in-class physical activity (PA) levels than those in a control group. It was hypothesized that there would be marked…

Relationship of Muscular Strength on Work Performance in High School Students with Mental Retardation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smail, Karen M.; Horvat, Michael

2006-01-01

The relationship of muscular strength on work performance measures in high school students with mild mental retardation was investigated. Ten students from a self contained Special Education class were matched according to age, gender, height, and weight then randomly assigned to either the treatment group or control group. The treatment group…

The Impact of Different Instructions on Vietnamese EFL Students' Acquisition of Formulaic Sequences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ha, Do Thi

2017-01-01

The paper explores how various teaching methods, namely Phonology-Based Instruction (PBI) and Translation-Based Instruction (TBI), have an effect on students' acquisition of formulaic sequences. 20 multiword expressions were taught to 48 Vietnamese EFL students from three intact classes as 2 treatment groups (PBI and TBI) and 1 control group.…

The Effects of Pre-Parenthood Education on High School Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luster, Tom; Youatt, June

A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effects of pre-parenthood education classes on high school students. Participants were 130 students from 8 high schools in Michigan; 26 students not enrolled in the parenting course served as a control group. In both groups, students' knowledge of child development, and beliefs about appropriate…

Effect of Cooperative Learning on Achievement of Students in General Science at Secondary Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parveen, Qaisara; Batool, Sadia

2012-01-01

The aim of the study was to explore the effects of cooperative learning on General Science achievement among 9th class students. Based upon previous research literature it was hypothesized that significant difference existed between the mean posttest scores of General Science achievement of experimental group and control group. The pretest…

The Effect of Implementation of TBLT in Reading Comprehension Classes of Iranian EFL Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madhkhan, Mozhgan; Mousavi, Seyed Mojtaba

2017-01-01

The present study investigates the impact of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) on Iranian EFL learners' reading comprehension performance. Seventy participants were assigned randomly to the experimental and control groups. Having instructed the two groups with the same texts but different task types and activities (i.e., tasks in 4 types) during…

The Effect of Fine Motor Skill Activities on Kindergarten Student Attention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Roger A.; Rule, Audrey C.; Giordano, Debra A.

2007-01-01

This study explored the effect of fine motor skill activities on the development of attention in kindergarteners (n = 68) in five classes at a suburban public school in the Intermountain West through a pretest/posttest experimental group (n = 36) control group (n = 32) design. All children received the regular curriculum which included typical…

Can Preschool Children Learn Safety Skills? Evaluation of the Safe at Home Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, E. Audrey; Simmons, Robert A.

The American Lung Association of Los Angeles County developed the SAFE-AT-HOME curriculum to teach preschool children home safety concepts through early childhood group experiences. This report evaluates the efficacy of the curriculum by testing 2 experimental and 2 control groups of children from 34 preschool classes on fire, water, foreign…

Toward a Definition of Resource Based Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McBeath, Ron J.

The development of education parallels the growth patterns in technology and science. The three stages of growth in education are characterized by: (1) class teaching, (2) group teaching, and (3) independent study. Stage 1 is teacher-dominated. At stage 2 the instructor is more passive in the control of a group. Stage 3 is the most meaningful…

Using children's literature to enhance views of nature of science and scientific attitude in fourth graders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hampton, Kathryn Walker

This project was an effort to study the effect of integrating children's trade books into the fourth grade science curriculum on the students' views of the nature of science and their scientific attitude. The effect on the students' reading and language achievement, and science content knowledge was also analyzed. This was done by comparing the nature of science views and scientific attitudes, reading and language achievement scores, and the science grades of the treatment group, prior to and immediately following the intervention period, with the control group which did not participate in the integration of children's books. The science teacher's views on the nature of science and her attitude towards teaching science were also evaluated prior to and after the intervention. The selected trade books were evaluated for their coverage of nature of science aspects. Three intact classes of fourth grade students from a local elementary school were involved in the study along with their science and reading teacher. Two of the classes made up the experimental group and the remaining class served as the control group. All students were assessed prior to the intervention phase on their views of the nature of science and scientific attitudes. The experimental group was engaged in reading selected science trade books during their science class and study hall over a semester period. The results of the study showed a significant difference in the groups' initial reading and language achievement, which may have affected the lack of an effect from the intervention. The instrument selected to assess the student's views on the nature of science and scientific attitude (SAI II) was not reliable with this group. There was no significant difference on the students' science content knowledge as measured by their semester grade averages. The results from the teacher's response on the STAS II did indicate slight changes on her views on the nature of science. Sixty-nine of the eighty-three children's trade books selected had one or more aspects of the nature of science included.

Participation in the Journey to Life Conversation Map Improves Control of Hypertension, Diabetes, and Hypercholesterolemia.

PubMed

Crawford, Paul; Wiltz, Scott

2015-01-01

The Diabetes Conversation Map program includes 4 "board game-like" education tools. We describe how the Journey to Life Conversation Map Education Class improves diabetes performance measures of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and blood pressure (BP). Retrospective case-control study in a military family medicine clinic from January 2007 to January 2010. We included 202 patients who completed ≥1 conversation map class and a comparison group of 209 patients who did not attend. Attendees started with HbA1c 8.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.86-8.64) and decreased to 6.96 (95% CI, 6.69-7.23). Patients in the comparison group started at 8.57 (95% CI, 8.18-8.95) and decreased to 8.27 (95% CI, 8.01-8.54) (P < .001). Attendees began with LDL of 111 mg/dL (95% CI, 103-119) and decreased to 94 mg/dL (95% CI, 81-106). Patients in the comparison group started at 89 mg/dL (95% CI, 81-98) and increased to 98 mg/dL (95% CI, 85-110) (P < .007). Systolic BP decreased 5.4 mmHg among attendees versus 0.8 mmHg among those in the comparison group (P = .014), whereas diastolic BP was unchanged (P = .110). The Journey to Life Healthy Interactions Conversation Map Education Class for diabetes improves diabetes performance measures. © Copyright 2015 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Evaluation of a multimedia online tool for teaching bronchial hygiene to physical therapy students.

PubMed

Silva, Cibele C B Marques da; Toledo, Sonia L P; Silveira, Paulo S P; Carvalho, Celso R F

2012-01-01

Advances in information technology have been widely used in teaching health care professionals. The use of multimedia resources may be important for clinical learning and we are not aware of previous reports using such technology in respiratory physical therapy education. Our approach was to evaluate a conventional bronchial hygiene techniques (BHTs) course with an interactive online environment, including multimedia resources. Previous developed audiovisual support material comprised: physiology, physiopathology and BHTs, accessible to students through the Internet in conjunction with BHTs classes. Two groups of students were compared and both attended regular classes: the on-line group (n=8) received access to online resources, while the control group (n=8) received conventional written material. Student's performance was evaluated before and after the course. A preliminary test (score 0 to 10) was applied before the beginning of the course, showing that the initial knowledge of both groups was comparable [online, 6.75 (SD=0.88) vs. control, 6.125 (SD=1.35); p>0.05]. Two weeks after the end of the course, a second test showed that the online group performed significantly better than the control group [respectively, 7.75 (SD=1.28) vs. 5.93 (SD=0.72); p>0.05]. The use of a multimedia online resource had a positive impact on student's learning in respiratory therapy field in which instrumental and manual resources are often used and can be explored using this technology.

Students' Understanding of Salt Dissolution: Visualizing Animation in the Chemistry Classroom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malkoc, Ummuhan

The present study explored the effect of animation implementation in learning a chemistry topic. 135 high school students taking chemistry class were selected for this study (quasi-experimental groups = 67 and control groups = 68). Independent samples t-tests were run to compare animation and control groups between and within the schools. The over-arching finding of this research indicated that when science teachers used animations while teaching salt dissolution phenomena, students will benefit the application of animations. In addition, the findings informed the TPACK framework on the idea that visual tools are important in students' understanding of salt dissolution concepts.

Occupational Sex-Role Stereotyping. Effects of a Ninth-Grade Experience-Based Career Education Program on Occupational Sex-Role Stereotyping.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Humburg, Renae Bygel

A study was conducted to determine the effects of a ninth-grade experience-based career education (EBCE) program upon occupational sex role stereotyping. Twenty-four volunteers were assigned to the EBCE group and twenty-four assigned to the control group. The career education group met four class periods per week and one full day per week for…

Effect of fragmented Lactobacillus amylovorus CP1563 on lipid metabolism in overweight and mildly obese individuals: a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Futoshi; Ishida, Yu; Aihara, Kohtaro; Sawada, Daisuke; Ashida, Nobuhisa; Sugawara, Tomonori; Aoki, Yumeko; Takehara, Isao; Takano, Kazuhiko; Fujiwara, Shigeru

2016-01-01

Background Previously, we showed that fragmented Lactobacillus amylovorus CP1563 (CP1563) functions as a dual agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and γ in vitro and in vivo. Objective Here, we examined the safety and effect of CP1563 ingestion on body fat in obese class I participants in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT). Design In the RCT, 200 participants with a body mass index (BMI) of 25–30 kg/m2 consumed test beverages with or without 200 mg of CP1563 daily for 12 weeks. In total, 197 subjects completed the study without any adverse effects. Results Body fat percentage, whole body fat, and visceral fat were significantly decreased in the test group compared with the placebo group (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and diastolic blood pressure showed significant reductions in the test group compared with the placebo group (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, significant differences in the changes in blood glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and uric acid were observed between the two groups (p<0.001, p=0.004, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Improvements in anthropometric measurements and markers were observed in obese class I subjects in the test group. Conclusions Daily consumption of beverages containing fragmented CP1563 for 12 weeks by obese class I subjects improved anthropometric measurements and markers related to lipid and glucose metabolism without any adverse effects. These results suggest that the consumption of foods containing fragmented CP1563 reduces body fat and prevents metabolic syndrome. PMID:27221805

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Practices

MedlinePlus

... series of yoga classes, compared with a waitlist control group. They were still feeling better at the study’s ... 18(7):589–600. Ruepert L, Quartero AO, de Wit NJ, et al. Bulking agents, antispasmodics and ...

Morphologic evaluation of dentoalveolar structures of mandibular anterior teeth during augmented corticotomy-assisted decompensation.

PubMed

Ahn, Hyo-Won; Seo, Dong-Hwi; Kim, Seong-Hun; Park, Young-Guk; Chung, Kyu-Rhim; Nelson, Gerald

2016-10-01

Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of augmented corticotomy on the decompensation pattern of mandibular anterior teeth, alveolar bone, and surrounding periodontal tissues during presurgical orthodontic treatment. Thirty skeletal Class III adult patients were divided into 2 groups according to the application of augmented corticotomy labial to the anterior mandibular roots: experimental group (with augmented corticotomy, n = 15) and control group (without augmented corticotomy, n = 15). Lateral cephalograms and cone-beam computed tomography images were taken before orthodontic treatment and before surgery. The measurements included the inclination and position of the mandibular incisors, labial alveolar bone area, vertical alveolar bone height, root length, and alveolar bone thickness at 3 levels surrounding the mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. The mandibular incisors were significantly proclined in both groups (P <0.001); however, the labial movement of the incisor tip was greater in the experimental group (P <0.05). Significant vertical alveolar bone loss was observed only in the control group (P <0.001). The middle and lower alveolar thicknesses and labial alveolar bone area increased in the experimental group. In the control group, the upper and middle alveolar thicknesses and labial alveolar bone area decreased significantly. There were no significant differences in dentoalveolar changes between the 3 kinds of anterior teeth in each group, except for root length in the experimental group (P <0.05). Augmented corticotomy provided a favorable decompensation pattern of the mandibular incisors, preserving the periodontal structures surrounding the mandibular anterior teeth for skeletal Class III patients. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparative evaluation of maxillary protraction with or without skeletal anchorage.

PubMed

Sar, Cağla; Arman-Özçırpıcı, Ayça; Uçkan, Sina; Yazıcı, A Canan

2011-05-01

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft-tissue effects of maxillary protraction with miniplates compared with conventional facemask therapy and an untreated Class III control group. Forty-five subjects who were in prepubertal or pubertal skeletal growth periods were included in the study and divided into 3 groups of 15 patients each. All subjects had skeletal and dental Class III malocclusions with maxillary deficiency, vertically normal growth pattern, anterior crossbite, Angle Class III molar relationship, normal or increased overbite, and retrusive nasomaxillary complex. Before maxillary protraction, rapid maxillary expansion with a bonded appliance was performed in both treatment groups. In the first group (MP+FM), consisting of 5 girls and 10 boys (mean age, 10.91 years), facemasks were applied from 2 titanium miniplates surgically placed laterally to the apertura piriformis regions of the maxilla. The second group (FM) of 7 girls and 8 boys (mean age, 10.31 years) received maxillary protraction therapy with conventional facemasks applied from hooks of the rapid maxillary expansion appliance. The third group of 8 girls and 7 boys (mean age, 10.05 years) was the untreated control group. Lateral cephalometric films were obtained at the beginning and end of treatment or observation in all groups and analyzed according to a structural superimposition method. Measurements were evaulated statistically with Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Treatment periods were 6.78 and 9.45 months in the MP+FM and FM groups, respectively, and the observation period in the control group was 7.59 months. The differences were significant between the 3 groups (P <0.05) and the MP+FM and FM groups (P <0.001). The maxilla moved forward for 2.3 mm in the MP+FM group and 1.83 mm in the FM group with maxillary protraction. The difference was significant between 2 groups (P <0.001). The protraction rates were 0.45 mm per month in the MP+FM group and 0.24 mm per month in the FM group (P <0.001). The maxilla showed anterior rotation after facemask therapy in the FM group (P <0.01); there was no significant rotation in the MP+FM group. Posterior rotation of the mandible and increased facial height were more evident in the FM group compared with the MP+FM group (P <0.01). Both the maxilla and the mandible moved forward significantly in the control group. Protrusion and mesialization of the maxillary teeth in the FM group were eliminated in the MP+FM group. The maxillomandibular relationships and the soft-tissue profile were improved remarkably in both treatment groups. The undesired effects of conventional facemask therapy were reduced or eliminated with miniplate anchorage, and efficient maxillary protraction was achieved in a shorter treatment period. Copyright © 2011 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of an integrated Algebra 1/physical science curriculum on student achievement in Algebra 1, proportional reasoning and graphing abilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lawrence, Lettie Carol

1997-08-01

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an integrated curriculum in algebra 1/physical science facilitates acquisition of proportional reasoning and graphing abilities better than a non-integrated, traditional, algebra 1 curriculum. Also, this study was to ascertain if the integrated algebra 1/physical science curriculum resulted in greater student achievement in algebra 1. The curriculum used in the experimental class was SAM 9 (Science and Mathematics 9), an investigation-based curriculum that was written to integrate physical science and basic algebra content. The experiment was conducted over one school year. The subjects in the study were 61 ninth grade students. The experimental group consisted of one class taught concurrently by a mathematics teacher and a physical science teacher. The control group consisted of three classes of algebra 1 students taught by one mathematics teacher and taking physical science with other teachers in the school who were not participating in the SAM 9 program. This study utilized a quasi-experimental non-randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The investigator obtained end-of-algebra 1 scores from student records. The written open-ended graphing instruments and the proportional reasoning instrument were administered to both groups as pretests and posttests. The graphing instruments were also administered as a midtest. A two sample t-test for independent means was used to determine significant differences in achievement on the end-of-course algebra 1 test. Quantitative data from the proportional reasoning and graphing instruments were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance to determine differences in scores over time for the experimental and control groups. The findings indicate no significant difference between the experimental and control groups on the end-of-course algebra 1 test. Results also indicate no significant differences in proportional reasoning and graphing abilities between the two groups over time. However, all subjects (experimental and control groups) made significant improvement in graphing abilities over one school year. In this study, students participating in an investigation-based curriculum integrating algebra 1 and physical science performed as well on the instruments as the students in the traditional curriculum. Therefore, an argument can be made that instruction using an integrated curriculum (algebra l/physical science) is a viable alternative to instruction using a more traditional algebra 1 curriculum. Finally, the integrated curriculum adheres to the constructivist theoretical perspective (Krupnik-Gotlieb, 1995) and is more consistent with recommendations in the NCTM Standards (1992) than the traditional curriculum.

The Influence of Experiential Instruction on Urban Elementary Students' Knowledge of the Food and Fiber System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mabie, Rachel; Baker, Matt

1996-01-01

Inner-city fifth and sixth graders were divided as follows: 56 conducted 10-week garden projects; 57 did short, in-class projects; and 31 controls were taught by traditional methods. Both treatment groups improved pretest knowledge of food and fiber by 70-80%, compared to 11% increase among controls. (SK)

Effect of a 16-week Bikram yoga program on perceived stress, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in stressed and sedentary adults: A randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Hewett, Zoe L; Pumpa, Kate L; Smith, Caroline A; Fahey, Paul P; Cheema, Birinder S

2018-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 16 weeks of Bikram yoga on perceived stress, self-efficacy and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in sedentary, stressed adults. 16 week, parallel-arm, randomised controlled trial with flexible dosing. Physically inactive, stressed adults (37.2±10.8 years) were randomised to Bikram yoga (three to five classes per week) or control (no treatment) group for 16 weeks. Outcome measures, collected via self-report, included perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and HRQoL. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, midpoint and completion. Individuals were randomised to the experimental (n=29) or control group (n=34). Average attendance in the experimental group was 27±18 classes. Repeated measure analyses of variance (intention-to-treat) demonstrated significantly improved perceived stress (p=0.003, partial η 2 =0.109), general self-efficacy (p=0.034, partial η 2 =0.056), and the general health (p=0.034, partial η 2 =0.058) and energy/fatigue (p=0.019, partial η 2 =0.066) domains of HRQoL in the experimental group versus the control group. Attendance was significantly associated with reductions in perceived stress, and an increase in several domains of HRQoL. 16 weeks of Bikram yoga significantly improved perceived stress, general self-efficacy and HRQoL in sedentary, stressed adults. Future research should consider ways to optimise adherence, and should investigate effects of Bikram yoga intervention in other populations at risk for stress-related illness. Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000867493. Registered 04 July 2016. URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000867493.aspx. Copyright © 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Tai Chi intervention on dual-task ability in older adults: a pilot study.

PubMed

Hall, Courtney D; Miszko, Tanya; Wolf, Steven L

2009-03-01

To determine if a 12-week program of Tai Chi that has been shown to reduce falls incidence in older adults would improve the ability to allocate attention to balance under dual-task conditions. Pre-/posttest experimental research design. Movement studies research laboratory. Community dwelling older adults (N=15; range, 62-85y) participated in either Tai Chi training or health education classes (controls) for 12 weeks. Participants in the Tai Chi group attended a twice-weekly, 1.5-hour class taught by an experienced instructor. The control group attended a biweekly, 1-hour class for lectures on health-related topics. Two cognitive tasks (responding to auditory or visual stimulus as quickly as possible) were performed concurrently while maintaining static balance during the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and while avoiding obstacles while walking. The percent change in performance relative to the single-task condition was calculated and defined as the dual-task cost. The dual-task cost was calculated for both the postural and cognitive measures. There was no improvement in the performance of postural stability or cognitive task under dual-task conditions for the SOT for Tai Chi versus controls. There was no improvement in avoiding obstacles under dual-task conditions for Tai Chi versus controls. Contrary to our hypothesis, the findings of this study did not support a benefit of Tai Chi on the ability to allocate attention to balance under dual-task conditions.

Wii-hab for pre-frail older adults.

PubMed

Daniel, Kathryn

2012-01-01

To examine the effectiveness of a novel intervention aimed at decreasing indices related to frailty through systematic, Progressive Functional Rehabilitation (PFR). Pre-frail volunteers were recruited to participate in a 15 week exercise intervention or control group. Those who met study criteria and consented were randomized into one of three groups: control, seated exercise, or Wii(®) -fit. Test measures were completed before and after the 15 week intervention period on all participants. Measures included: Senior Fitness Test, Body Weight, Balance Efficacy Scale, CHAMPS, Late-Life Function and Disability Index, MOS SF-36. Attendance was also recorded. There were improvements on several of the measures included in the Senior Fitness Test including chair stands, arm curls, step 2, six minute walk, sit and reach, and the timed up and go. A few participants did lose weight. All of the differences reflected improved physical functional status in the seated exercise or Wii-fit groups compared with the control group. Increased physical activity was beneficial for all who participated. There were improvements in physical performance scores on several of the measures on the senior fitness test in both the seated exercise and Wii-fit groups. Participants in the Wii-fit group also showed improvement in their reported caloric expenditure and balance confidence. This pilot study suggests a rehabilitation effect that was similar to the effect of community based senior fitness classes. A home video game console system with weight vest could be an effective alternative for pre-frail senior adults to group exercise classes. © 2012 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

Psychosocial stress but not exercise increases cortisol and reduces state anxiety levels in school classes - results from a stressor applicable in large group settings.

PubMed

Wegner, Mirko; Müller-Alcazar, Anett; Jäger, Anika; Machado, Sergio; Arias-Carrión, Oscar; Budde, Henning

2014-01-01

Both, psychosocial stress and exercise in the past have been used as stressors to elevate saliva cortisol and change state anxiety levels. In the present study, high-school students at the age of 14 were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: (1) an exercise group (n = 18), that was running 15 minutes at a medium intensity level of 65-75% HRmax, (2) a psychosocial stress group (n = 19), and (3) a control group (n = 18). The psychosocial stress was induced to the students by completing a standardized intelligence test under the assumption that their IQ scores would be made public in class. Results display that only psychosocial stress but not exercise was able to significantly increase cortisol levels but decreased cognitive state anxiety in adolescents. The psychosocial stress protocol applied here is proposed for use in future stress studies with children or adolescents in group settings, e.g., in school.

Effect of Autonomy Support on Self-Determined Motivation in Elementary Physical Education.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Kai; Chen, Senlin; Tu, Kun-Wei; Chi, Li-Kang

2016-09-01

Using the quasi-experimental design, this study examined the effect of autonomy support on self-determined motivation in elementary school physical education (PE) students. One hundred and twenty six participants were assigned to either the autonomy support group (n = 61) or the control group (n = 65) for a six-week intervention period. Perceived teacher autonomy, perceived autonomy in PE, and self-determined motivation in PE were pre- and post-tested using validated questionnaires. Significant increases in perceived teacher autonomy and perceived autonomy in PE were observed in the autonomy support group, but not in the control group. Intrinsic motivation was higher in the autonomy support group than that in the control group. From an experimental perspective, these findings suggest that the autonomy support was successfully manipulated in the PE classes, which in turn increased the students' perceived autonomy and intrinsic motivation.

"There's a higher power, but He gave us a free will": socioeconomic status and the intersection of agency and fatalism in infertility.

PubMed

Bell, Ann V; Hetterly, Elizabeth

2014-08-01

Existing literature characterizes fatalism as a passive reaction to health in the face of powerlessness and constructs agency as a more activist perspective based in self-efficacy and control. Frequently studied together, researchers extol agency as the appropriate approach to decision-making around health, while discouraging fatalistic outlooks. Despite associating such beliefs with social classes-agency with high socioeconomic status (SES) groups and fatalism with low SES groups-there is little research that compares health beliefs across class groups. By examining the medicalized condition of infertility among women of both high and low SES, this study examines how social class shapes reactions to health and illness. Through 58 in-depth interviews with infertile women in the U.S., we reveal the complexity of fatalism and agency and the reasons behind that complexity. We first examine the commonalities among SES groups and their mutual use of fatalism. We then demonstrate the nuance and continuity between the health beliefs themselves-fatalism can be agentic and agency can be achieved through fatalism. In other words, we disrupt the binary construction of health beliefs, their conflation with social class, and the static application of health beliefs as psychological attributes, ultimately exposing the classist basis of the concepts. Doing so can result in improved patient care and reduced health inequalities. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Short-term and long-term treatment outcomes with Class III activator

PubMed Central

Ryu, Hyo-kyung; Chong, Hyun-Jeong; An, Ki-Yong

2015-01-01

Objective The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate short-term and long-term skeletodental outcomes of Class III activator treatment. Methods A Class III activator treatment group (AG) comprised of 22 patients (9 boys, 13 girls) was compared with a Class III control group (CG) comprised of 17 patients (6 boys, 11 girls). The total treatment period was divided into three stages; the initial stage (T1), the post-activator treatment or post-mandibular growth peak stage (T2), and the long-term follow-up stage (T3). Cephalometric changes were evaluated statistically via the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Friedman test. Results The AG exhibited significant increases in the SNA angle, ANB angle, Wits appraisal, A point-N perpendicular, Convexity of A point, and proclination of the maxillary incisors, from T1 to T2. In the long-term follow-up (T1-T3), the AG exhibited significantly greater increases in the ANB angle, Wits appraisal, and Convexity of A point than the CG. Conclusions Favorable skeletal outcomes induced during the Class III activator treatment period were generally maintained until the long-term follow-up period of the post-mandibular growth peak stage. PMID:26445717

Students’ Mathematical Problem-Solving Abilities Through The Application of Learning Models Problem Based Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasution, M. L.; Yerizon, Y.; Gusmiyanti, R.

2018-04-01

One of the purpose mathematic learning is to develop problem solving abilities. Problem solving is obtained through experience in questioning non-routine. Improving students’ mathematical problem-solving abilities required an appropriate strategy in learning activities one of them is models problem based learning (PBL). Thus, the purpose of this research is to determine whether the problem solving abilities of mathematical students’ who learn to use PBL better than on the ability of students’ mathematical problem solving by applying conventional learning. This research included quasi experiment with static group design and population is students class XI MIA SMAN 1 Lubuk Alung. Class experiment in the class XI MIA 5 and class control in the class XI MIA 6. The instrument of final test students’ mathematical problem solving used essay form. The result of data final test in analyzed with t-test. The result is students’ mathematical problem solving abilities with PBL better then on the ability of students’ mathematical problem solving by applying conventional learning. It’s seen from the high percentage achieved by the group of students who learn to use PBL for each indicator of students’ mathematical problem solving.

Improving text comprehension strategies in upper primary school children: a design experiment.

PubMed

De Corte, E; Verschaffel, L; Van De Ven, A

2001-12-01

With respect to the acquisition of competence in reading, new standards for primary education stress more than before the importance of learning and teaching cognitive and metacognitive strategies that facilitate text comprehension. Therefore, there is a need to design a research-based instructional approach to strategic reading comprehension. The design experiment aimed at developing, implementing and evaluating a research-based, but also practically applicable learning environment for enhancing skilled strategy use in upper primary school children when reading a text. Four text comprehension strategies (activating prior knowledge, clarifying difficult words, making a schematic representation of the text, and formulating the main idea) and a metacognitive strategy (regulating one's own reading process) were trained through a variety of highly interactive instructional techniques, namely modelling, whole class discussion, and small group work in the format of reciprocal teaching. Participants in the study were four experimental 5th grade classes (79 children) and eight comparable control classes (149 pupils). The effects of the learning environment were measured using a pretest-post-test-retention design. Multilevel hierarchical linear regression models were used to analyse the quantitative data of a Reading Strategy Test, a standardised Reading Comprehension Test, a Reading Attitude Scale, a Transfer Test and an interview about strategy use during reading. The data of the Reading Strategy Test, the Transfer Test and the interviews about strategy use showed that the experimental group out-performed the control group in terms of the strategy adoption and application during text reading. Whilst the experimental group also scored higher on the Reading Comprehension Test than the control group, the difference was not significant. This design experiment shows that it is possible to foster pupils' use and transfer of strategic reading comprehension skills in regular classrooms by immersing them in a powerful learning environment. But this intervention does not automatically result in improvement of performance on a standardised reading comprehension test.

Patient classification as an outlier detection problem: An application of the One-Class Support Vector Machine

PubMed Central

Mourão-Miranda, Janaina; Hardoon, David R.; Hahn, Tim; Marquand, Andre F.; Williams, Steve C.R.; Shawe-Taylor, John; Brammer, Michael

2011-01-01

Pattern recognition approaches, such as the Support Vector Machine (SVM), have been successfully used to classify groups of individuals based on their patterns of brain activity or structure. However these approaches focus on finding group differences and are not applicable to situations where one is interested in accessing deviations from a specific class or population. In the present work we propose an application of the one-class SVM (OC-SVM) to investigate if patterns of fMRI response to sad facial expressions in depressed patients would be classified as outliers in relation to patterns of healthy control subjects. We defined features based on whole brain voxels and anatomical regions. In both cases we found a significant correlation between the OC-SVM predictions and the patients' Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), i.e. the more depressed the patients were the more of an outlier they were. In addition the OC-SVM split the patient groups into two subgroups whose membership was associated with future response to treatment. When applied to region-based features the OC-SVM classified 52% of patients as outliers. However among the patients classified as outliers 70% did not respond to treatment and among those classified as non-outliers 89% responded to treatment. In addition 89% of the healthy controls were classified as non-outliers. PMID:21723950

The effects of concept and vee mappings under three learning modes on Jamaican eighth graders' knowledge of nutrition and plant reproduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ugwu, Okechukwu; Soyibo, Kola

2004-01-01

The first objective of this study was to investigate if the experimental students' post-test knowledge of nutrition and plant reproduction would be improved more significantly than that of their control group counterparts based on their treatment, attitudes to science, self-esteem, gender and socio-economic background. Treatment involved teaching the experimental students under three learning modes--pure cooperative, cooperative-competitive and individualistic whole class interpersonal competitive condition--using concept and vee mappings and the lecture method. The control groups received the same treatment but were not exposed to concept and vee mappings. This study's second objective was to determine which of the three learning modes would produce the highest post-test mean gain in the subjects' knowledge of the two biology concepts. The study's sample comprised 932 eighth graders (12-13-year-olds) in 14 co-educational comprehensive high schools randomly selected from two Jamaican parishes. An integrated science performance test, an attitudes to science questionnaire and a self-esteem questionnaire were used to collect data. The results indicated that the experimental students (a) under the three learning modes, (b) with high, moderate, and low attitudes to science, and (c) with high, moderate, and low self-esteem, performed significantly better than their control group counterparts. The individualist whole class learning mode engendered the highest mean gain on the experimental students' knowledge, while the cooperative-competitive learning mode generated the highest mean gain for the control group students.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of Bio-Gen with biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of class II furcation defects: a randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

JENABIAN, Niloofar; HAGHANIFAR, Sina; MABOUDI, Avideh; BIJANI, Ali

2013-01-01

Objective Treatment of furcation defects are thought to be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic parameters of Bio-Gen with Biocollagen compared with Bio-Gen with connective tissue in the treatment of Class II furcation defects. Material and Methods In this clinical trial, 24 patients with Class II furcation defect on a buccal or lingual mandibular molar were recruited. After oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing and achievement of acceptable plaque control, the patients were randomly chosen to receive either connective tissue and Bio-Gen (case group) or Biocollagen and Bio-Gen (control group). The following parameters were recorded before the first and re-entry surgery (six months later): vertical clinical attachment level (VCAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), horizontal probing depth (HPD), vertical probing depth (VPD), gingival recession (GR), furcation vertical component (FVC), furcation to alveolar crest (FAC), fornix to base of defect (FBD), and furcation horizontal component (FHC) were calculated at the time of first surgery and during re-entry. A digital periapical radiograph was taken in parallel before first surgery and re-entry. The radiographs were then analyzed by digital subtraction. The differences with p value <0.05 were considered significant. Results Only the mean changes of FAC, FHC, mean of FHC, FBD in re-entry revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups. HPD, VPD, FBD, FAC, and FHC showed statistically significant differences after 6 months in the case group. However, in the control group, statistically significant differences were found in GR and HPD. We did not observe any significant difference in radiographic changes among the two groups. Conclusion The results of this trial indicate that better clinical outcomes can be obtained with connective tissue grafts in combination with bone material compared with a resorbable barrier with bone material. The differences in radiographic changes between the two groups, however, were not statistically significant. PMID:24212988

Comparison of BMI, AHI, and apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE-ε4) alleles among sleep apnea patients with different skeletal classifications.

PubMed

Roedig, Jason J; Phillips, Barbara A; Morford, Lorri A; Van Sickels, Joseph E; Falcao-Alencar, Gabriel; Fardo, David W; Hartsfield, James K; Ding, Xiuhua; Kluemper, G Thomas

2014-04-15

This case-control study investigated whether variations within the APOE-ε gene were associated with having a convex facial profile (skeletal Class II) compared to exhibiting a straight or concave facial profile (Class I or Class III) among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Associations between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and body mass index (BMI) scores for these OSA patients were also examined in the context of facial profile. OSA patients with an AHI ≥ 15 were recruited from a sleep clinic and classified by facial and dental occlusal relationships based on a profile facial analysis, lateral photographs, and dental examination. Saliva was collected as a source of DNA. The APOE-ε1-4 allele-defining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs429358 and rs7412 were genotyped. A χ(2) analysis was used to assess Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and for association analysis (significance at p < 0.05). ANOVA and Fisher exact test were also used. Seventy-six Caucasian OSA patients participated in the study-25 Class II cases and 51 non-Class II cases. There was no association of the APOE-ε4 allele with facial profile among these OSA patients. Class II OSA patients had significantly lower BMIs (30.7 ± 5.78) than Class I (37.3 ± 6.14) or Class III (37.8 ± 6.17) patients (p < 0.001), although there was no statistical difference in AHI for Class II patients compared with other groups. OSA patients with Class II convex profile were more likely to have a lower BMI than those in other skeletal groups. In fact 20% of them were not obese, suggesting that a Class II convex profile may influence or be associated with OSA development independent of BMI.

Variations in tooth size and arch dimensions in Malay schoolchildren.

PubMed

Hussein, Khalid W; Rajion, Zainul A; Hassan, Rozita; Noor, Siti Noor Fazliah Mohd

2009-11-01

To compare the mesio-distal tooth sizes and dental arch dimensions in Malay boys and girls with Class I, Class II and Class III malocclusions. The dental casts of 150 subjects (78 boys, 72 girls), between 12 and 16 years of age, with Class I, Class II and Class III malocclusions were used. Each group consisted of 50 subjects. An electronic digital caliper was used to measure the mesio-distal tooth sizes of the upper and lower permanent teeth (first molar to first molar), the intercanine and intermolar widths. The arch lengths and arch perimeters were measured with AutoCAD software (Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, CA, U.S.A.). The mesio-distal dimensions of the upper lateral incisors and canines in the Class I malocclusion group were significantly smaller than the corresponding teeth in the Class III and Class II groups, respectively. The lower canines and first molars were significantly smaller in the Class I group than the corresponding teeth in the Class II group. The lower intercanine width was significantly smaller in the Class II group as compared with the Class I group, and the upper intermolar width was significantly larger in Class III group as compared with the Class II group. There were no significant differences in the arch perimeters or arch lengths. The boys had significantly wider teeth than the girls, except for the left lower second premolar. The boys also had larger upper and lower intermolar widths and lower intercanine width than the girls. Small, but statistically significant, differences in tooth sizes are not necessarily accompanied by significant arch width, arch length or arch perimeter differences. Generally, boys have wider teeth, larger lower intercanine width and upper and lower intermolar widths than girls.

Inverse Doppler shift and control field as coherence generators for the stability in superluminal light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghafoor, Fazal; Bacha, Bakht Amin; Khan, Salman

2015-05-01

A gain-based four-level atomic medium for the stability in superluminal light propagation using control field and inverse Doppler shift as coherence generators is studied. In regimes of weak and strong control field, a broadband and multiple controllable transparency windows are, respectively, identified with significantly enhanced group indices. The observed Doppler effect for the class of high atomic velocity of the medium is counterintuitive in comparison to the effect of the class of low atomic velocity. The intensity of each of the two pump fields is kept less than the optimum limit reported in [M. D. Stenner and D. J. Gauthier, Phys. Rev. A 67, 063801 (2003), 10.1103/PhysRevA.67.063801] for stability in the superluminal light pulse. Consequently, superluminal stable domains with the generated coherence are explored.

Nutritional status in patients with hepatitis C.

PubMed

Ismail, Faisal Wasim; Khan, Rustam A; Kamani, Lubna; Wadalawala, Ashfaq A; Shah, Hasnain Ali; Hamid, Saeed S; Jafri, Wasim

2012-03-01

To assess the nutritional status via the SGA (subjective global assessment) screening tool of patients at all stages of hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease. Descriptive study. Out-patient Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, conducted from October 2009 to January 2011. Patients with hepatitis C virus infection and their HCV-negative attendants were enrolled from the outpatient clinics, and categorized into 4 groups of 100 patients each: healthy controls (HC), those with chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC), compensated cirrhotics (CC) and decompensated cirrhotics (DC). The validated subjective global assessment (SGA) tool was used to assess nutritional status. A total of 400 patients were enrolled. Most of the patients in the HC group were class 'A' (best nutritional status). In contrast, the majority (64%) in the DC group were in the class 'C' (worst status). The compensated cirrhosis (CC) group showed that 90% of patients were malnourished, while 98% of all patients were malnourished in the DC group, predominantly class 'C'. Most importantly, 14% of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) also scored a 'B' on the SGA; which when compared to HC was statistically significant (p=0.005). As the groups progressed in their disease from CHC to DC, the transition in nutritional status from 'A' to 'C' between groups was statistically significant. Malnutrition occurs early in the course of HCV, and progresses relentlessly throughout the spectrum of HCVdisease.

The Effect of Integrated Movement Activities on Children's FMS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Shu-Chu; Lin, Shu-Jung; Hsu, Li-Chuan

2016-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of an integrated movement course on the FMSs of preschool children. Purposive sampling was used to select two classes at a public preschool in Chiayi City, Taiwan. The experimental group consisted of 9 boys and 12 girls, and the control group consisted of 11 boys and 8 girls. Both were…

Interlocked Problem Posing and Children's Problem Posing Performance in Free Structured Situations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cankoy, Osman

2014-01-01

The aim of this study is to explore the mathematical problem posing performance of students in free structured situations. Two classes of fifth grade students (N = 30) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The categories of the problems posed in free structured situations by the 2 groups of students were studied through…

Preventing Behavior Problems among Elementary Schoolchildren: Impact of a Universal School-Based Program in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Lin; Yufeng, Wang; Agho, Kingsley; Jacobs, Jennifer

2011-01-01

Background: To evaluate the effect on problem behaviors of a universal school-based prevention curriculum of third grade students. Methods: Six regular classes in 1 elementary school were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 208) or control (n = 209) group. A 13-session program was offered to students in the intervention group. The Achenbach…

A Randomised Control Trial of a Tier-2 Small-Group Intervention ("MiniLit") for Young Struggling Readers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckingham, Jennifer; Wheldall, Kevin; Beaman, Robyn

2012-01-01

The response-to-intervention model is predicated upon increasingly intensive tiers of instruction. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of a Tier-2 small-group literacy intervention ("MiniLit") designed for young readers who are still struggling after experiencing whole-class initial instruction. A total of 22…

Effects of Virtual Reality on the Cognitive Memory and Handgun Accuracy Development of Law Enforcement Neophytes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Richard A.

2013-01-01

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of virtual reality training on the development of cognitive memory and handgun accuracy by law enforcement neophytes. One hundred and six academy students from 6 different academy classes were divided into two groups, experimental and control. The experimental group was exposed to virtual…

AN EVALUATION OF HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS PROGRAMMED TEXTS WHEN USED WITH DEAF STUDENTS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

BORNSTEIN, HARRY

A COMPARISON WAS MADE OF THE RATE AND LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT OF 150 DEAF STUDENTS RESULTING FROM THE USE OF PROGRAMED TEXTS AS AGAINST THE USUAL LECTURE METHODS IN HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS. EACH OF FOUR MATHEMATICS TEACHERS HAD TWO COMPARABLE CLASSES. THE CONTROL GROUP RECEIVED INFORMATION BY SIMULTANEOUS LECTURE AND THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS USED THE…

The Effects of Self- and Peer-Monitoring in Social Studies Performance of Students with Learning Disabilities and Low Achieving Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Woori; Ok, Min Wook; Yoo, Yongseok

2018-01-01

This study employed group randomized trials to investigate the effects of self- and peer-monitoring on the academic vocabulary and content knowledge of students with learning disabilities and low achieving students in social studies. Fourth grade students were randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups on a class level. Results…

Effectiveness of Blended Teaching Strategy on the Achievement of Third Grade Students in Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yaghmour, Kholoud Subhi

2016-01-01

The study aimed to investigate the Blended Education strategy in the achievement of the third grade students in mathematics. The study sample consisted of (97) male and female students distributed on four classes: (47) male and female students in the experimental group and (50) male and female students in the control group. To achieve the…

Effects of Requiring Physical Fitness in a Lecture-Based College Course: Students' Attitudes toward Physical Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Esslinger, Keri A.; Grimes, Amanda R.; Pyle, Elizabeth

2016-01-01

In this study, we investigated students' attitudes toward physical activity (PA) when including a required PA component in a university-required personal wellness class. The study included (a) an experimental group of students enrolled in a personal wellness course in which there was a required PA requirement and (b) a control group of students…

A Comparison of Traditional and Holistic Instructional Methods in Developing Positive Attitudes Toward Mathematics Instruction in Students at Malcolm X College.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Richard W.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether "holistic" instruction is an effective way to improve student attitudes toward instruction. Study participants were students in two Mathematics 111 classes at Malcolm X College (Illinois), 27 in the experimental and 27 in the control group. The experimental group received holistic…

A Study of Attitudes toward Reading of Western Kansas Students in Grades One through Six in a Selected School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rains, Navene N.

A study investigated the attitudes toward reading of Western Kansas students in grades 1-6. Of the 156 students in the sample, 45 participated in the study group while 111 constituted the control group. The independent variables were participation status, achievement in reading, gender, socioeconomic class status, intelligence test scores, and…

Mobile Phones in the Classroom: Examining the Effects of Texting, Twitter, and Message Content on Student Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kuznekoff, Jeffrey H.; Munz, Stevie; Titsworth, Scott

2015-01-01

This study examined mobile phone use in the classroom by using an experimental design to study how message content (related or unrelated to class lecture) and message creation (responding to or creating a message) impact student learning. Participants in eight experimental groups and a control group watched a video lecture, took notes, and…

Effect of Multi Modal Representations on the Critical Thinking Skills of the Fifth Grade Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Öz, Muhittin; Memis, Esra Kabatas

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of multi modal representations within writing to learn activities on students' critical thinking. Mixed method was used. The participants included 32 students 5th grade from elementary school. The groups were randomly selected as a control group and the other class was selected as the…

Game-Based Learning as a Vehicle to Teach First Aid Content: A Randomized Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charlier, Nathalie; De Fraine, Bieke

2013-01-01

Background: Knowledge of first aid (FA), which constitutes lifesaving treatments for injuries or illnesses, is important for every individual. In this study, we have set up a group-randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a board game for learning FA. Methods: Four class groups (120 students) were randomly assigned to 2…

The Effect of Playing a Logic Game on Student Learning in Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parsons, Ralph

The effect of playing a logic game, Master Mind, on student learning in physics was examined in this study. An experimental group of 16 Electronics Engineering Technology students played the game during class one hour per week for seven weeks. A control group of nineteen students took the course without playing the logic game. Results showed that…

Development of risk-based nanomaterial groups for occupational exposure control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuempel, E. D.; Castranova, V.; Geraci, C. L.; Schulte, P. A.

2012-09-01

Given the almost limitless variety of nanomaterials, it will be virtually impossible to assess the possible occupational health hazard of each nanomaterial individually. The development of science-based hazard and risk categories for nanomaterials is needed for decision-making about exposure control practices in the workplace. A possible strategy would be to select representative (benchmark) materials from various mode of action (MOA) classes, evaluate the hazard and develop risk estimates, and then apply a systematic comparison of new nanomaterials with the benchmark materials in the same MOA class. Poorly soluble particles are used here as an example to illustrate quantitative risk assessment methods for possible benchmark particles and occupational exposure control groups, given mode of action and relative toxicity. Linking such benchmark particles to specific exposure control bands would facilitate the translation of health hazard and quantitative risk information to the development of effective exposure control practices in the workplace. A key challenge is obtaining sufficient dose-response data, based on standard testing, to systematically evaluate the nanomaterials' physical-chemical factors influencing their biological activity. Categorization processes involve both science-based analyses and default assumptions in the absence of substance-specific information. Utilizing data and information from related materials may facilitate initial determinations of exposure control systems for nanomaterials.

Expression and clinical value of the soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A molecule in the serum of patients with renal tumors.

PubMed

Zhao, Y-K; Jia, C-M; Yuan, G-J; Liu, W; Qiu, Y; Zhu, Q-G

2015-06-29

We investigated the expression and clinical value of the soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (sMICA) molecule in the serum of patients with renal tumors. Sixty patients diagnosed with renal tumors were enrolled in the experimental group, whereas 20 healthy volunteers served as the control group. The sMICA levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the results were analyzed in combination with data from pathol-ogy examination. The experimental group had a statistically significant higher sMICA level (P < 0.05) than the control group. The sMICA level was higher in patients with malignant tumors than in those with be-nign tumors. We also observed a positive relationship among different tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) pathological stages with more advanced diseases exhibiting higher sMICA levels. As a tumor-associated antigen, MICA has a close relationship with renal tumorigenesis and immune es-cape. Our results indicated that sMICA levels were related to tumor pathol-ogy, TNM stage, and metastasis. Therefore, sMICA might be a potential marker for tumor characteristics, prognosis, and recurrence prediction.

Collaborative Science Work in the Elementary Classroom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kersey, Denise A.

Not all students with disabilities receive special education accommodations in science class. Without special education support, students with disabilities are unable to comprehend and apply science concepts. Implementing a co-teaching model could be a remedy for this lack of supports. Framed by constructivist theory, this study sought to determine if there was a difference in science assessment scores between students in a co-taught science class and those in a regular education science class. Following a pretest-posttest control group design, this study examined the relation between two teaching models and achievement in science. Using a convenience sample of 84 students drawn from a population of 144 fourth grade special education students in a public school district located in the Southeastern United States, analysis of variance was used to compare the mean growth of the two groups. The data revealed no statistically significant difference in mean gain scores between the two groups. Additional studies using a larger sample and longer trial are needed. Implications for social change include understanding instructional strategies that allow educators to differentiate for diverse learners in mainstreamed classrooms as well as removing barriers for underrepresented groups, thereby allowing equal access to science related professions.

Health of women: associations among life events, social support, and personality for selected patient groups.

PubMed

Norlander, T; Dahlin, A; Archer, T

2000-02-01

This study examined the effects of life events, social support, personality traits, and siblings' birth-order on the health of women. 199 middle-class participants were included. 95 women, randomly assigned from four different patient groups, were compared with a control group of 96 randomly selected women without any special health problems. They completed a questionnaire which included questions regarding family background, health, different life events, social support, and signs of disease and a projective test, the Sivik Psychosomatism Test. Analysis indicated that report of negative life events was associated with more physical symptoms than positive life events and that the patient groups reported more negative life events and less social support than the control group.

Improving physical fitness and emotional well-being in adolescents of low socioeconomic status in Chile: results of a school-based controlled trial.

PubMed

Bonhauser, Marco; Fernandez, Gonzalo; Püschel, Klaus; Yañez, Fernando; Montero, Joaquín; Thompson, Beti; Coronado, Gloria

2005-06-01

Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, and mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Among adolescents, physical activity is associated with benefits in the prevention and control of emotional distress, and improvement of self-esteem. Countries in transitional epidemiological scenarios, such as Chile, need to develop effective strategies to improve physical activity as a way to face the epidemic of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based physical activity program on physical fitness and mental health status of adolescents living in a low socioeconomic status area in Santiago, Chile. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the program over one academic year. The study included 198 students aged 15 years old. Two ninth grade classes were randomly selected as the intervention group, with two classes of the same grade as controls. A social planning approach was used to develop the intervention. The program was designed and implemented based on student preferences, teachers' expertise and local resources. Changes in physiological and mental health status were assessed. After the intervention, maximum oxygen capacity achieved a significant increase of 8.5% in the intervention versus 1.8% in the control group (p < 0.0001). Speed and jump performance scores improved significantly more in the intervention versus the control group (p > 0.01). Anxiety score decreased 13.7% in the intervention group versus 2.8% in the control group (p < 0.01), and self-esteem score increased 2.3% in the intervention group and decreased 0.1% in the control group after the end of the program (p < 0.0001). No significant change was observed in the depressive score. Student participation and compliance with the program was > 80%. To conclude, a school-based program to improve physical activity in adolescents of low socioeconomic status, obtained a high level of participation and achieved significant benefits in terms of physical fitness and mental health status.

The effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following childbirth: an experimental study.

PubMed

Gökçe İsbir, Gözde; İnci, Figen; Önal, Hatice; Yıldız, Pelin Dıkmen

2016-11-01

Fear of birth and low childbirth self-efficacy is predictive of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following childbirth. The efficacy of antenatal education classes on fear of birth and childbirth self-efficacy has been supported; however, the effectiveness of antenatal classes on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after childbirth has received relatively little research attention. This study examined the effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following childbirth. Quasi-experimental study. The study was conducted in a city located in the Middle Anatolia region of Turkey and data were collected between December 2013 and May 2015. Two groups of women were compared-an antenatal education intervention group (n=44), and a routine prenatal care control group (n=46). The Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire, Version A and B, Childbirth Self-efficacy Inventory and Impact of Event Scale-Revised was used to assess fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and PTSD symptoms following childbirth. Compared to the control group, women who attended antenatal education had greater childbirth self-efficacy, greater perceived support and control in birth, and less fear of birth and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following childbirth (all comparisons, p<0.05). Antenatal education appears to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after childbirth. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of a combination of text structure awareness and graphic postorganizers on recall and retention of science knowledge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spiegel, George F., Jr.; Barufaldi, James P.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a self-regulated strategy on immediate recall and retention of science knowledge in community-college anatomy and physiology students who participated in a 14-hour (8 weeks) study skills class. The class emphasized the recognition of five common science textbook text structures (cause and effect, classification, enumeration, generalization, and sequence) and the construction of graphic postorganizers of the text structures. A pretest, two immediate posttests, and a retention posttest were used to measure recall and retention. Results indicated that on immediate posttests students who actively constructed graphic postorganizers of the test structure recalled significantly more content than did the control students who simply underlined, reread, or highlighted. On a 3-week retention posttest, those students in the study skills class retained significantly more of the material studied than did the control group of students.

Exploring students’ adaptive reasoning skills and van Hiele levels of geometric thinking: a case study in geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizki, H. T. N.; Frentika, D.; Wijaya, A.

2018-03-01

This study aims to explore junior high school students’ adaptive reasoning and the Van Hiele level of geometric thinking. The present study was a quasi-experiment with the non-equivalent control group design. The participants of the study were 34 seventh graders and 35 eighth graders in the experiment classes and 34 seventh graders and 34 eighth graders in the control classes. The students in the experiment classes learned geometry under the circumstances of a Knisley mathematical learning. The data were analyzed quantitatively by using inferential statistics. The results of data analysis show an improvement of adaptive reasoning skills both in the grade seven and grade eight. An improvement was also found for the Van Hiele level of geometric thinking. These results indicate the positive impact of Knisley learning model on students’ adaptive reasoning skills and Van Hiele level of geometric thinking.

Anteroposterior condylar position: a comparative study between subjects with normal occlusion and patients with Class I, Class II Division 1, and Class III malocclusions.

PubMed

Fraga, Marcelo Reis; Rodrigues, Andréia Fialho; Ribeiro, Luiz Claudio; Campos, Marcio José da Silva; Vitral, Robert Willer Farinazzo

2013-10-29

The present study aimed to determine and compare the anteroposterior position of the condyle in the mandibular fossa between groups of asymptomatic subjects with normal occlusion and asymptomatic subjects with Class I, Class II Division 1, and Class III malocclusions. Thirty persons with normal occlusion, 30 with Class I malocclusion, 30 with Class II Division 1, and 30 with Class III had computed tomography scans of their temporomandibular joints. The anterior joint space/posterior joint space (AJS/PJS) ratio was determined for the right and left joints. The paired t test was used to analyze the AJS/PJS ratio between both sides for each group. The ANOVA test was applied to verify the differences between the groups for the measurements of the right and left sides. In case the ANOVA test confirmed significance, the Dunnett's t test was performed to compare the groups of malocclusion with that of normal occlusion. The paired t test between the AJS/PJS relationships in the right and left sides showed the following p values: Class I (0.168), Class II Division 1 (0.662), Class III (0.991), and normal occlusion (0.390). The ANOVA test showed a p value of 0.445 for the comparisons of the right side and 0.040 for the left side. The Dunnett's t test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the Class II group and the normal occlusion group (p value of 0.026) in the joints of the left side. Bilateral symmetry and lack of condyle centralization were common characteristics among all groups. The greatest condylar decentralization was observed in the Class II group, whereas the least condylar decentralization was found in the normal occlusion group.

[Effects of Learning Activities on Application of Learning Portfolio in Nursing Management Course].

PubMed

Choi, So Eun; Kim, Eun A

2016-02-01

This study was conducted to examine effects of a learning portfolio by identifying the learning of nursing students taking a learning portfolio-utilized nursing management class. A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 83 senior students taking the nursing management course in one of the Departments of Nursing at 2 Universities. Experimental group (n=42) received a learning portfolio-utilized nursing management class 15 times over 15 weeks (3 hours weekly). Self-directed learning abilities, approaches to learning and learning flow of the participants were examined with self-report structured questionnaires. Data were collected between September 2 and December 16, 2014, and were analyzed using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test and ANCOVA with SPSS/PC version 21.0. After the intervention the experimental group showed significant increases in self-directed learning abilities, deep approaches to learning and learning flow compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was found between groups for surface approaches to learning. Learning activities using the learning portfolios could be effective in cultivating the learning competency for growth of knowledge, technology and professionalism by increasing personal concentration and organization ability of the nursing students so that they can react to the rapidly changing environment.

Impact of yoga on blood pressure and quality of life in patients with hypertension – a controlled trial in primary care, matched for systolic blood pressure

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Medical treatment of hypertension is not always sufficient to achieve blood pressure control. Despite this, previous studies on supplementary therapies, such as yoga, are relatively few. We investigated the effects of two yoga interventions on blood pressure and quality of life in patients in primary health care diagnosed with hypertension. Methods Adult patients (age 20–80 years) with diagnosed hypertension were identified by an electronic chart search at a primary health care center in southern Sweden. In total, 83 subjects with blood pressure values of 120–179/≤109 mmHg at baseline were enrolled. At baseline, the patients underwent standardized blood pressure measurement at the health care center and they completed a questionnaire on self-rated quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). There were three groups: 1) yoga class with yoga instructor (n = 28); 2) yoga at home (n = 28); and 3) a control group (n = 27). The participants were matched at the group level for systolic blood pressure. After 12 weeks of intervention, the assessments were performed again. At baseline a majority of the patients (92%) were on antihypertensive medication, and the patients were requested not to change their medication during the study. Results The yoga class group showed no improvement in blood pressure or self-rated quality of life, while in the yoga at home group there was a decline in diastolic blood pressure of 4.4 mmHg (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, the yoga at home group showed significant improvement in self-rated quality of life compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions A short yoga program for the patient to practice at home seems to have an antihypertensive effect, as well as a positive effect on self-rated quality of life compared to controls. This implies that simple yoga exercises may be useful as a supplementary blood pressure therapy in addition to medical treatment when prescribed by primary care physicians. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01302535) PMID:24314119

Three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography analysis of enlargement of the pharyngeal airway by the Herbst appliance.

PubMed

Iwasaki, Tomonori; Takemoto, Yoshihiko; Inada, Emi; Sato, Hideo; Saitoh, Issei; Kakuno, Eriko; Kanomi, Ryuzo; Yamasaki, Youichi

2014-12-01

Pharyngeal airway size is increasingly recognized as an important factor in obstructive sleep apnea. However, few studies have examined the changes of pharyngeal airway form after dental procedures for treating obstructive sleep apnea during growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Herbst appliance on the 3-dimensional form of the pharyngeal airway using cone-beam computed tomography. Twenty-four Class II subjects (ANB, ≥5°; 11 boys; mean age, 11.6 years) who required Herbst therapy with edgewise treatment had cone-beam computed tomography images taken before and after Herbst treatment. Twenty Class I control subjects (9 boys; mean age, 11.5 years) received edgewise treatment only. The volume, depth, and width of the pharyngeal airway were compared between the groups using measurements from 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images of the entire pharyngeal airway. The increase of the oropharyngeal airway volume in the Herbst group (5000.2 mm(3)) was significantly greater than that of the control group (2451.6 mm(3)). Similarly, the increase of the laryngopharyngeal airway volume in the Herbst group (1941.8 mm(3)) was significantly greater than that of the control group (1060.1 mm(3)). The Herbst appliance enlarges the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal airways. These results may provide a useful assessment of obstructive sleep apnea treatment during growth. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of the use of question-driven levels of inquiry based instruction (QD-LOIBI) assisted visual multimedia supported teaching material on enhancing scientific explanation ability senior high school students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suhandi, A.; Muslim; Samsudin, A.; Hermita, N.; Supriyatman

2018-05-01

In this study, the effectiveness of the use of Question-Driven Levels of Inquiry Based Instruction (QD-LOIBI) assisted visual multimedia supported teaching materials on enhancing senior high school students scientific explanation ability has been studied. QD-LOIBI was designed by following five-levels of inquiry proposed by Wenning. Visual multimedia used in teaching materials included image (photo), virtual simulation and video phenomena. QD-LOIBI assisted teaching materials supported by visual multimedia were tried out on senior high school students at one high school in one district in West Java. A quasi-experiment method with design one experiment group (n = 31) and one control group (n = 32) were used. Experimental group were given QD-LOIBI assisted teaching material supported by visual multimedia, whereas the control group were given QD-LOIBI assisted teaching materials not supported visual multimedia. Data on the ability of scientific explanation in both groups were collected by scientific explanation ability test in essay form concerning kinetic gas theory concept. The results showed that the number of students in the experimental class that has increased the category and quality of scientific explanation is greater than in the control class. These results indicate that the use of multimedia supported instructional materials developed for implementation of QD-LOIBI can improve students’ ability to provide explanations supported by scientific evidence gained from practicum activities and applicable concepts, laws, principles or theories.

An evaluation of a drama program to enhance social relationships and anti-bullying at elementary school: a controlled study.

PubMed

Joronen, Katja; Konu, Anne; Rankin, H Sally; Astedt-Kurki, Päivi

2012-03-01

Drama, theater and role-playing methods are commonly used in health promotion programs, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited. This paper describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a school-based drama program to enhance social relationships and decrease bullying at school in children in grades 4-5 (mean age of 10.4 years). Students (n = 190) were recruited from two primary schools with similar demographics and socio-economics in the Southern Finland and purposively allocated either to an intervention group or a control group. The drama program included classroom drama sessions, follow-up activities at home and three parents' evenings concerning issues of social well being during the school year September 2007-May 2008. Data on social relationships in the class room and experiences of bullying were obtained before and after the program using self-completed questionnaire from the same students (n = 134). The response rate was 71%. No differences in socio-demographics existed between intervention group and control group at pretest. The positive effect on social relationships resulting from the intervention approached statistical significance (p = 0.065). Moreover, the positive effect was found to be statistically significant in the high-intensity intervention classes (p = 0.011). Bullying victimization decreased 20.7 percentage units from pretest (58.8%) to posttest (38.1%) in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The study indicates that using applied drama and theater methods in the classroom may improve children's social relationships at school.

Improving students’ mathematical representational ability through RME-based progressive mathematization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warsito; Darhim; Herman, T.

2018-01-01

This study aims to determine the differences in the improving of mathematical representation ability based on progressive mathematization with realistic mathematics education (PMR-MP) with conventional learning approach (PB). The method of research is quasi-experiments with non-equivalent control group designs. The study population is all students of class VIII SMPN 2 Tangerang consisting of 6 classes, while the sample was taken two classes with purposive sampling technique. The experimental class is treated with PMR-MP while the control class is treated with PB. The instruments used are test of mathematical representation ability. Data analysis was done by t-test, ANOVA test, post hoc test, and descriptive analysis. The result of analysis can be concluded that: 1) there are differences of mathematical representation ability improvement between students treated by PMR-MP and PB, 2) no interaction between learning approach (PMR-MP, PB) and prior mathematics knowledge (PAM) to improve students’ mathematical representation; 3) Students’ mathematical representation improvement in the level of higher PAM is better than medium, and low PAM students. Thus, based on the process of mathematization, it is very important when the learning direction of PMR-MP emphasizes on the process of building mathematics through a mathematical model.

Empirically Defined Patterns of Executive Function Deficits in Schizophrenia and Their Relation to Everyday Functioning: A Person-Centered Approach

PubMed Central

Iampietro, Mary; Giovannetti, Tania; Drabick, Deborah A. G.; Kessler, Rachel K.

2013-01-01

Executive function (EF) deficits in schizophrenia (SZ) are well documented, although much less is known about patterns of EF deficits and their association to differential impairments in everyday functioning. The present study empirically defined SZ groups based on measures of various EF abilities and then compared these EF groups on everyday action errors. Participants (n=45) completed various subtests from the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) and the Naturalistic Action Test (NAT), a performance-based measure of everyday action that yields scores reflecting total errors and a range of different error types (e.g., omission, perseveration). Results of a latent class analysis revealed three distinct EF groups, characterized by (a) multiple EF deficits, (b) relatively spared EF, and (c) perseverative responding. Follow-up analyses revealed that the classes differed significantly on NAT total errors, total commission errors, and total perseveration errors; the two classes with EF impairment performed comparably on the NAT but performed worse than the class with relatively spared EF. In sum, people with SZ demonstrate variable patterns of EF deficits, and distinct aspects of these EF deficit patterns (i.e., poor mental control abilities) may be associated with everyday functioning capabilities. PMID:23035705

Flippin' Fluid Mechanics - Quasi-experimental Pre-test and Post-test Comparison Using Two Groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webster, D. R.; Majerich, D. M.; Luo, J.

2014-11-01

A flipped classroom approach has been implemented in an undergraduate fluid mechanics course. Students watch short on-line videos before class, participate in active in-class problem solving (in dyads), and complete individualized on-line quizzes weekly. In-class activities are designed to achieve a trifecta of: 1. developing problem solving skills, 2. learning subject content, and 3. developing inquiry skills. The instructor and assistants provide critical ``just-in-time tutoring'' during the in-class problem solving sessions. Comparisons are made with a simultaneous section offered in a traditional mode by a different instructor. Regression analysis was used to control for differences among students and to quantify the effect of the flipped fluid mechanics course. The dependent variable was the students' combined final examination and post-concept inventory scores and the independent variables were pre-concept inventory score, gender, major, course section, and (incoming) GPA. The R-square equaled 0.45 indicating that the included variables explain 45% of the variation in the dependent variable. The regression results indicated that if the student took the flipped fluid mechanics course, the dependent variable (i.e., combined final exam and post-concept inventory scores) was raised by 7.25 points. Interestingly, the comparison group reported significantly more often that their course emphasized memorization than did the flipped classroom group.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid on the Surgical Field in Primary Cleft Palate Surgery on Children-A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Study.

PubMed

Durga, Padmaja; Raavula, Parvathi; Gurajala, Indira; Gunnam, Poojita; Veerabathula, Prardhana; Reddy, Mukund; Upputuri, Omkar; Ramachandran, Gopinath

2015-09-01

To assess the effect of tranexamic acid on the quality of the surgical field. Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Institutional, tertiary referral hospital. American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class I patients, aged 8 to 60 months with Group II or III (Balakrishnan's classification) clefts scheduled for cleft palate repair. Children were randomized into two groups. The control group received saline, and the tranexamic acid group received tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg as a bolus, 15 minutes before incision. Grade of surgical field on a 10-point scale, surgeon satisfaction, and primary hemorrhage. Significant improvements were noted in surgeon satisfaction and median grade of assessment of the surgical field (4 [interquartile range, 4 to 6] in the control group vs. 3 [interquartile range, 2 to 4] in the test group; P = .003) in the tranexamic acid group compared to the control group. Preincision administration of 10 mg/kg of tranexamic acid significantly improved the surgical field during cleft palate repair.

Relationship Dissolution and Psychologically Aggressive Dating Relationships: Preliminary Findings From a College-Based Relationship Education Course.

PubMed

Negash, Sesen; Cravens, Jaclyn D; Brown, Preston C; Fincham, Frank D

This study evaluated the impact of a relationship education program, delivered as part of a college course, among students (N = 152) who reported experiencing psychological aggression in their exclusive dating relationship. Preliminary results showed that compared to those in the control group, participants receiving relationship education were significantly more likely to end their romantic relationship, even after controlling for relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, when relationship termination occurred, those in the intervention group were significantly more likely to attribute the breakup to their participation in the class as compared to those in the control group. The tentative findings are an important preliminary step in assessing the benefits of relationship education in reducing the risk of psychological aggression among college students.

Overview of the TREC 2009 Chemical IR Track

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-01

several classes have been identified. 3 methods for controlling molecular weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate organic, high molecular weight We are a group of...researchers in an university/company. We want to start a project and, before starting, we want more informations about polyhydroxyalkanoate and about...methods for controlling molecular weight of polyhydroxyalkanoate constituted of units containing residue of phenyl-, thienyl-, or cyclohexyl-structure

Evaluation of Early Ground Control Station Configurations for Interacting with a UAS Traffic Management (UTM) System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dao, Arik-Quang V.; Martin, Lynne; Mohlenbrink, Christoph; Bienert, Nancy; Wolte, Cynthia; Gomez, Ashley; Claudatos, Lauren; Mercer, Joey

2017-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to report on a human factors evaluation of ground control station design concepts for interacting with an unmanned traffic management system. The data collected for this paper comes from recent field tests for NASA's Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) project, and covers the following topics; workload, situation awareness, as well as flight crew communication, coordination, and procedures. The goal of this evaluation was to determine if the various software implementations for interacting with the UTM system can be described and classified into design concepts to provide guidance for the development of future UTM interfaces. We begin with a brief description of NASA's UTM project, followed by a description of the test range configuration related to a second development phase. We identified (post hoc) two classes in which the ground control stations could be grouped. This grouping was based on level of display integration. The analysis was exploratory and informal. It was conducted to compare ground stations across those two classes and against the aforementioned topics. Herein, we discuss the results.

Promoting adaptive emotion regulation and coping in adolescence: a school-based programme.

PubMed

Horn, Andrea B; Pössel, Patrick; Hautzinger, Martin

2011-03-01

Particularly in adolescence, fostering adaptive emotion regulation is an important aim in health promotion. Expressive writing in combination with psycho-education on emotion regulation seems especially appropriate to serve this aim. In this study, school classes were randomly assigned either to a prevention (N = 208) or to a non-treatment control group (N = 151). The prevention group showed significant improvements regarding negative affect, grades, and days absent compared to the control-group. A combination of expressive writing with elements of psycho-education of emotion regulation might be an effective preventive tool, as it seems to improve psychosocial adjustment by establishing functional emotion regulation strategies.

The Effectiveness of learning materials based on multiple intelligence on the understanding of global warming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liliawati, W.; Purwanto; Zulfikar, A.; Kamal, R. N.

2018-05-01

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the use of teaching materials based on multiple intelligences on the understanding of high school students’ material on the theme of global warming. The research method used is static-group pretest-posttest design. Participants of the study were 60 high school students of XI class in one of the high schools in Bandung. Participants were divided into two classes of 30 students each for the experimental class and control class. The experimental class uses compound-based teaching materials while the experimental class does not use a compound intelligence-based teaching material. The instrument used is a test of understanding of the concept of global warming with multiple choices form amounted to 15 questions and 5 essay items. The test is given before and after it is applied to both classes. Data analysis using N-gain and effect size. The results obtained that the N-gain for both classes is in the medium category and the effectiveness of the use of teaching materials based on the results of effect-size test results obtained in the high category.

No Evidence of a Common DNA Variant Profile Specific to World Class Endurance Athletes

PubMed Central

Wolfarth, Bernd; Wang, Guan; Sarzynski, Mark A.; Alexeev, Dmitry G.; Ahmetov, Ildus I.; Boulay, Marcel R.; Cieszczyk, Pawel; Eynon, Nir; Filipenko, Maxim L.; Garton, Fleur C.; Generozov, Edward V.; Govorun, Vadim M.; Houweling, Peter J.; Kawahara, Takashi; Kostryukova, Elena S.; Kulemin, Nickolay A.; Larin, Andrey K.; Maciejewska-Karłowska, Agnieszka; Miyachi, Motohiko; Muniesa, Carlos A.; Murakami, Haruka; Ospanova, Elena A.; Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Pavlenko, Alexander V.; Pyankova, Olga N.; Santiago, Catalina; Sawczuk, Marek; Scott, Robert A.; Uyba, Vladimir V.; Yvert, Thomas; Perusse, Louis; Ghosh, Sujoy; Rauramaa, Rainer; North, Kathryn N.; Lucia, Alejandro; Pitsiladis, Yannis; Bouchard, Claude

2016-01-01

There are strong genetic components to cardiorespiratory fitness and its response to exercise training. It would be useful to understand the differences in the genomic profile of highly trained endurance athletes of world class caliber and sedentary controls. An international consortium (GAMES) was established in order to compare elite endurance athletes and ethnicity-matched controls in a case-control study design. Genome-wide association studies were undertaken on two cohorts of elite endurance athletes and controls (GENATHLETE and Japanese endurance runners), from which a panel of 45 promising markers was identified. These markers were tested for replication in seven additional cohorts of endurance athletes and controls: from Australia, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Russia and Spain. The study is based on a total of 1520 endurance athletes (835 who took part in endurance events in World Championships and/or Olympic Games) and 2760 controls. We hypothesized that world-class athletes are likely to be characterized by an even higher concentration of endurance performance alleles and we performed separate analyses on this subsample. The meta-analysis of all available studies revealed one statistically significant marker (rs558129 at GALNTL6 locus, p = 0.0002), even after correcting for multiple testing. As shown by the low heterogeneity index (I2 = 0), all eight cohorts showed the same direction of association with rs558129, even though p-values varied across the individual studies. In summary, this study did not identify a panel of genomic variants common to these elite endurance athlete groups. Since GAMES was underpowered to identify alleles with small effect sizes, some of the suggestive leads identified should be explored in expanded comparisons of world-class endurance athletes and sedentary controls and in tightly controlled exercise training studies. Such studies have the potential to illuminate the biology not only of world class endurance performance but also of compromised cardiac functions and cardiometabolic diseases. PMID:26824906

No Evidence of a Common DNA Variant Profile Specific to World Class Endurance Athletes.

PubMed

Rankinen, Tuomo; Fuku, Noriyuki; Wolfarth, Bernd; Wang, Guan; Sarzynski, Mark A; Alexeev, Dmitry G; Ahmetov, Ildus I; Boulay, Marcel R; Cieszczyk, Pawel; Eynon, Nir; Filipenko, Maxim L; Garton, Fleur C; Generozov, Edward V; Govorun, Vadim M; Houweling, Peter J; Kawahara, Takashi; Kostryukova, Elena S; Kulemin, Nickolay A; Larin, Andrey K; Maciejewska-Karłowska, Agnieszka; Miyachi, Motohiko; Muniesa, Carlos A; Murakami, Haruka; Ospanova, Elena A; Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Pavlenko, Alexander V; Pyankova, Olga N; Santiago, Catalina; Sawczuk, Marek; Scott, Robert A; Uyba, Vladimir V; Yvert, Thomas; Perusse, Louis; Ghosh, Sujoy; Rauramaa, Rainer; North, Kathryn N; Lucia, Alejandro; Pitsiladis, Yannis; Bouchard, Claude

2016-01-01

There are strong genetic components to cardiorespiratory fitness and its response to exercise training. It would be useful to understand the differences in the genomic profile of highly trained endurance athletes of world class caliber and sedentary controls. An international consortium (GAMES) was established in order to compare elite endurance athletes and ethnicity-matched controls in a case-control study design. Genome-wide association studies were undertaken on two cohorts of elite endurance athletes and controls (GENATHLETE and Japanese endurance runners), from which a panel of 45 promising markers was identified. These markers were tested for replication in seven additional cohorts of endurance athletes and controls: from Australia, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Poland, Russia and Spain. The study is based on a total of 1520 endurance athletes (835 who took part in endurance events in World Championships and/or Olympic Games) and 2760 controls. We hypothesized that world-class athletes are likely to be characterized by an even higher concentration of endurance performance alleles and we performed separate analyses on this subsample. The meta-analysis of all available studies revealed one statistically significant marker (rs558129 at GALNTL6 locus, p = 0.0002), even after correcting for multiple testing. As shown by the low heterogeneity index (I2 = 0), all eight cohorts showed the same direction of association with rs558129, even though p-values varied across the individual studies. In summary, this study did not identify a panel of genomic variants common to these elite endurance athlete groups. Since GAMES was underpowered to identify alleles with small effect sizes, some of the suggestive leads identified should be explored in expanded comparisons of world-class endurance athletes and sedentary controls and in tightly controlled exercise training studies. Such studies have the potential to illuminate the biology not only of world class endurance performance but also of compromised cardiac functions and cardiometabolic diseases.

[Clinical study of extraction treatment of Class II division I malocclusion with Empower self-ligating brackets].

PubMed

Chen, Xi-hua; Hua, Yong-mei; Xie, Xing-qian; Yu, Xiao-jia; Wang, Jian; Liu, Li-ming

2013-06-01

To evaluate and compare the treatment efficiency of Empower interactive self-ligating brackets and traditional brackets in Class II division I extraction patients. Forty patients with Class II division I malocclusion were randomly divided into 2 groups. Twenty patients received Empower self-ligating technique (group A) and the other 20 patients received MBT technique (group B). Four first premolars were extracted and without any other anchorage devices added in both groups. The duration of treatment, the number of visits and chair-side time were recorded. Cephalometric analysis was performed before and after treatment. The data was analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software package for paired t test. Treatment time and number of visits in group A were more than in group B, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Chair-side time in group A reduced 151.15s on average compared with group B. Significant changes were observed in both groups after treatment. Upper and lower anterior teeth retracted and convex profile improved.U1-SN, U1-NA, L1-MP, L1-NB, UI-PTV, LI-PTV, UL-EP, LL-EP decreased. Significant differences were found in UM-PTV between the 2 groups(P<0.05). Compared with traditional brackets, Empower self-ligating brackets can save chair-side time, control anterior teeth torque and posterior teeth anchorage effectively, but can not reduce the treatment time or number of visits. Supported by Youth Research Project of Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau(2010Y155).

Teaching Cell Biology to Dental Students with a Project-Based Learning Approach.

PubMed

Costa-Silva, Daniela; Côrtes, Juliana A; Bachinski, Rober F; Spiegel, Carolina N; Alves, Gutemberg G

2018-03-01

Although the discipline of cell biology (CB) is part of the curricula of predoctoral dental schools, students often fail to recognize its practical relevance. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a practical-theoretical project-based course in closing the gaps among CB, scientific research, and dentistry for dental students. A project-based learning course was developed with nine sequential lessons to evaluate 108 undergraduate dental students enrolled in CB classes of a Brazilian school of dentistry during 2013-16. To highlight the relevance of in vitro studies in the preclinical evaluation of dental materials at the cellular level, the students were challenged to complete the process of drafting a protocol and performing a cytocompatibility assay for a bone substitute used in dentistry. Class activities included small group discussions, scientific database search and article presentations, protocol development, lab experimentation, and writing of a final scientific report. A control group of 31 students attended only one laboratory class on the same theme, and the final reports were compared between the two groups. The results showed that the project-based learning students had superior outcomes in acknowledging the relevance of in vitro methods during biocompatibility testing. Moreover, they produced scientifically sound reports with more content on methodological issues, the relationship with dentistry, and the scientific literature than the control group (p<0.05). The project-based learning students also recognized a higher relevance of scientific research and CB to dental practice. These results suggest that a project-based approach can help contextualize scientific research in dental curricula.

Effects of an intervention with teachers in the physical education context: A Self-Determination Theory approach

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Framed within Self-Determination Theory, the purpose of the present study was to test the effects of a training program with physical education (PE) teachers. Participants were 21 high school PE teachers (experimental group, n = 10; control group, n = 11), and their 836 students, aged 12 to 16 years. Teachers in the experimental group received a training program consisting of strategies to support autonomy, competence, and relatedness need satisfaction. A repeated measures ANCOVA was carried out for each dependent variable. After the intervention, students in the experimental group significantly increased their scores on autonomy support, relatedness support, autonomy satisfaction, autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and intention to be physically active, as compared to the control group. These findings emphasize the utility of a training program with PE teachers to promote the students’ psychological need satisfaction, and hence, self-determined motivation toward PE classes. PMID:29284027