The Existence of Alternative Framework in Students’ Scientific Imagination on the Concept of Matter at Submicroscopic Level: Macro Imagination

This study is conducted with the purpose of identifying the alternative framework contained in students’ imagination on the concept of matter at submicroscopic level. Through the design of purposive sampling techniques, a total of 15 students are interviewed to obtain the data. Data from analysis document is utilized to strengthen the interview. The qualitative data is analyzed using the grounded theory analysis strategy. The finding shows there is an existence of alternative framework in the students’ scientific imagination: macro imagination. The image of hydrogen gas is the highest macro alternative framework imagination generated by the students while the second is the water molecules formation and followed by hydrogen molecules collision. On the other hand, no imagination is produced on the hydrogen electron. Hence, the emphasis on scientific concept upon imagination must be enhanced so that they are able to master the chemistry concepts at submicroscopic level. The summary of the implications of the study suggests that the teachers need to associate the students’ imagination with the related science concepts so that even they are imagining according to their own capabilities and interest propensity, they are still maintaining the scientific perspective in the course of their imagination. Keywords: Imagination with alternative framework, Qualitative, Chemistry education, Submicroscopic level, Guided imagery, Macro imaginatio

Development of matter concept on submicroscopic level across ages

This study is conducted to understand the development of the matter concept on the submicroscopic level among students of various age groups (16-17 and 24-25 years). A qualitative study with descriptive design was implemented across the ages. A total of ten open-ended questions from Ujian Kefahaman Konsep Jirim Pada Aras Submikroskopik (SUKKJPAS) were used to collect the data. 604 secondary students and training institute teachers were chosen using random sampling for this study. The data then were analysed using descriptive study and content analysis. The finding shows that the development of the matter concept on the submicroscopic level among the students is moderate from the scientific explanation aspect and poor from the scientific drawing aspect. Majority of the students has a basic knowledge about scientific explanation and scientific drawing, in fact, the matter concept also has becomes better across the ages from scientific explanation. Hence, this study recommends the teachers to emphasize on generating a drawing during in giving explanation about chemical phenomenon or situation so that the students will have a better understanding and at the same time familiarize the students with the scientific drawing. Students on the other hands should be encouraged to adapt this concept in giving explanation about chemical phenomenon or situation

Kerangka pemikiran imaginasi saintifik pelajar pada aras submikroskopik

This study aims at addressing students’ conceptual understanding, imagination and scientific imagination thinking schematic development towards matter concept at a submicroscopic level. A qualitative study using descriptive design was implemented on 508 secondary school and teacher training institute students selected based on stratified purposive sampling for answering the Matter Concept Understanding Test Set at the Submicroscopic Level. From the total number of students, fifteen were selected based on criteria purposive sampling to conduct the process of guided imagery interview using Guided Imagery Interview Protocol Inventory. The data were analysed using grounded theory analysis strategy and triangulated to check the validity and reliability. The findings showed that the students’ matter concept understanding at the submicroscopic level was moderat and divided into scientific concept and alternative framework. Students’ imagination was also divided into scientific imagination and imagination with an alternative framework. The findings of this study also showed that the students’ scientific imagination thinking schematics consisted of ten processes namely entering the imagination world, attenuating in the imagination world, observing the imagination world, creating imagination characters, specifying the dynamic interaction among the imagination characters, assuming the imagination based on scientific concepts, predicting the subsequent imagination, making a relationship while having an imagination, making the imagination as a storyline, and modelling the imagination world. This study also suggests a Scientific Imagination Thinking Framework to help teachers and students to enhance their teaching and learning of chemistry to be more effective

Health innovation in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite efforts to tackle CVD, its prevalence continues to escalate in almost every country. The problem requires an exploration of novel ways to uncover solutions. Health innovations that embrace new knowledge and technology possess the potential to revolutionize the management of CVD. Using findings from published studies on CVD, researchers generated innovations in the areas of global risk assessment, home and remote monitoring and bedside testing. The use of pharmacogenetics and methods to support lifestyle changes represent other potential topics for innovations. Gaps in existing knowledge and practice of CVD provide opportunities for the development of new ideas, practices and technology. However, healthcare professionals need to be cognisant of the limitations of health innovations and advocate for safeguarding patients’ wellbeing

Relationships between cancer pattern, country income and geographical region in Asia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer incidence and mortality varies across region, sex and country\u27s economic status. While most studies focused on global trends, this study aimed to describe and analyse cancer incidence and mortality in Asia, focusing on cancer site, sex, region and income status. METHODS: Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates of cancer were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2012 database. Cancer mortality to incidence ratios (MIRs) were calculated to represent cancer survival. The data were analysed based on the four regions in Asia and income. RESULTS: Cancer incidence rate is lower in Asia compared to the West but for MIR, it is the reverse. In Asia, the most common cancers in men are lung, stomach, liver, colorectal and oesophageal cancers while the most common cancers in women are breast, lung, cervical, colorectal and stomach cancers. The MIRs are the highest in lung, liver and stomach cancers and the lowest in colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. Eastern and Western Asia have a higher incidence of cancer compared to South-Eastern and South-Central Asia but this pattern is the reverse for MIR. Cancer incidence rate increases with country income particularly in colorectal and breast cancers but the pattern is the opposite for MIR. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that there is a wide variation in cancer incidence and mortality across Asia. This study is the first step towards documenting and explaining the changing cancer pattern in Asia in comparison to the rest of the world

Travel risk in the ecotourism industry amid Covid-19 pandemic: ecotourists' perceptions

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused a global turmoil which restricted movement and consequently, diminishing domestic and international travel. One that is severely affected is ecotourism in National Parks, that involves visiting fragile, pristine and undisturbed natural areas. One of the major concerns for ecotourists in destination decision-making is travel risk that could affect their safety. This study aims to examine their risk perception and how it affects the behaviour of ecotourists in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia. The data was collected from 406 respondents and analysed using structural equation modelling. It is concluded that risk perception affects tourists’ decision-making, whereby health and safety information preference is the strongest predictor, and media’s influence has a very significant connection. This study has the potential of contributing to the management of ecotourism destinations in times of crisis. It also fills the literature gap on risk perceptions of ecotourists’ during the COVID-19 pandemic

The impact of knowledge, attitude, consumption values and destination image on tourists’ responsible environmental behaviour intention

The tourism sector has developed over the years as one of the main contributors to the nation’s socio-economy. However, tourism has also said to be the cause of the depletion of the natural environment especially the marine ecosystem due to the irresponsible behavior of tourists. There is a growing interest in understanding the impact of tourism towards the sustainability of a particular ecotourism destination, thus this study aims to examine the drivers of tourists’ intention to behave in an environmentally responsible manner specifically in marine parks. This study utilizes the responsible environmental behavior model with the addition of consumption values theory and destination image in hope to provide a more comprehensive explanation. A researcher-administered face-to-face survey was conducted among 103 tourists and analysed using partial least squares technique. The results empirically revealed that environmental knowledge and destination image significantly influenced the tourists’ intention to behave in an environmentally responsible manner. Thus, in fostering a more responsible behavior among tourists, more emphasis can be placed on enhancing their knowledge while capitalizing on the destination’s image

Unmet needs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A qualitative study on patients and doctors

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease with repeated exacerbations resulting in gradual debilitation. The quality of life has been shown to be poor in patients with COPD despite efforts to improve self-management. However, the evidence on the benefit of self-management in COPD is conflicting. Whether this could be due to other unmet needs of patients have not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to explore unmet needs of patients from both patients and doctors managing COPD. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with doctors and patients in Malaysia. We used convenience sampling to recruit patients until data saturation. Eighteen patients and eighteen doctors consented and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and checked by the interviewers. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results: The themes were similar for both the patients and doctors. Three main themes emerged: knowledge and awareness of COPD, psychosocial and physical impact of COPD and the utility of self-management. Knowledge about COPD was generally poor. Patients were not familiar with the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. The word ‘asthma’ was used synonymously with COPD by both patients and doctors. Most patients experienced difficulties in their psychosocial and physical functions such as breathlessness, fear and helplessness. Most patients were not confident in self-managing their illness and prefer a more passive role with doctors directing their care. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study showed that knowledge of COPD is generally poor. There was mislabelling of COPD as asthma by both patients and physicians. This could have resulted in the lack of understanding of treatment options, outcomes, and prognosis of COPD. The misconception that cough due to COPD was contagious, and breathlessness that resulted from COPD, had important physical and psychosocial impact, and could lead to social isolation. Most patients and physicians did not favour self-management approaches, suggesting innovations based on self-management may be of limited benefit