Effect of Creative Independence Problem Solving (Cips)-based Training Module on Professionalism of Rural Indonesian Elementary School Teachers

Training is needed to ensure that teachers acquire the knowledge necessary to teach problem-solving skills. Furthermore, a specifically designed training material such as a module is especially needed when teachers work in remote areas with fewer resources. Meanwhile, six educational problem-solving skills development needs among teachers in rural Indonesian elementary schools were identified: teacher mentoring, self-actualization, competency, creativity, problem-solving, and independence. A training module was designed based on the needs which were assessed using the CIPS model. The study aimed to investigate the effects of the CIPS-based Training Module on the professionalism of elementary school teachers. In addition, the training module consists of five (5) stages, which include pre-entering, plan, setting, action, and evaluation. The quasi-experimental research was conducted on 63 elementary teachers from Nunukan and Sebatik Island, North Kalimantan, Indonesia, assigned randomly to either an experiment or a control group. Before the training, a pre-test was conducted, followed by training using the module for the experiment groups, and no training for the control group. Furthermore, a post-test was conducted in both groups to identify the effectiveness of the training module. The independent sample t-test showed that the experimental group obtained a higher mean score than the control group. In conclusion, the CIPS-based Training Module effectively develops professionalism in teaching problem-solving skills among the experimental group's elementary teachers. Meanwhile, the study implies that rural elementary teachers need to be prepared to teach problem-solving skills

Transmission electron microscopical assessment of black cumin fixed oil treatment on rat's hippocampus with surgically induced neurodegeneration

A growing body of evidence now supports the hypothesis that critically attained threshold cerebral hypoperfusion (CATCH) accelerates age related neurodegeneration. Such threshold was achieved in rats by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). The hippocampal CA1 region pyramidal cells are the earliest neurons to degenerate following 2VO intervention. Nigella sativa oil extract (NSO) was found to preserve viability of cerebellar neuron cells in vitro putting forward its potential neuroprotective effect. The study objective was to assess the effect of NSO treatment on hippocampal pyramidal and other neighboring cells within CA1 subfield of rats with CATCH that was achieved through 2VO procedure. Nine rats were equally divided into three groups: sham control, untreated 2VO and NSO treated group (2VO with daily oral NSO treatment). After the 10th postoperative week coronal sections of the hippocampus were collected and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The neurodegenerative changes observed in pyramidal cells, astrocytes, endothelial basement membrane and axoplasms within CA1 hippocampal region of 2VO group were not observed in sham control group. Meanwhile, NSO treated groups hardly showed ultrastructural neurodegenerative changes similar to those observed in untreated 2VO group. This indicates a promising prospective neuroprotective activity provided by NSO treatment to prevent age related neurodegenerative diseases especially Alzheimer’s disease. Keywords: Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer, hippocampus, 2VO, Nigella sativa, Transmission electron microscopy, rat