Video-Based Instruction as a Remediation in Teaching Thermodynamics among Prospective Science Teachers

This study examined the effectiveness of video-based instruction (VBI) as a learning remediation strategy in teaching Laws of Thermodynamics among Prospective Science Teachers at Bulacan State University. The researchers employed – a one-group pretest–posttest design to assess the 35 prospective science teachers who were purposively selected. More so, data was gathered through researcher-made pretest-posttest achievement tests and an adapted Likert survey questionnaire. The data was treated descriptively and inferentially. The findings showed that VBI as a learning remediation strategy positively affected the preservice teachers’ achievement. In addition, data shows a significant difference between the pretest and posttest in teaching the laws of thermodynamics. The ease of use of VBI as learning remediation in teaching laws of thermodynamics in terms of pedagogical content, individual learning focus, ability to work at pace, and increased engagement was very effective. The learning achievement of the prospective science teachers was significantly related to the ease of use of VBI as a learning remediation. However, it was observed to have a high positive association. Future use of VBI can enhance the prospective science teacher’s competence in using VBI in teaching science subjects

Acoustic and mechanical properties of luffa fiber-reinforced biocomposites

This chapter presents an overview of acoustic and mechanical behaviors of luffa fiber reinforced biocomposites. A growing number of studies are examining the composites of biodegradable fibers such as flax, hemp, kenaf and luffa due to the adverse effects of chemical materials on nature. The low cost and superior acoustic and acceptable mechanical properties of biocomposites make them very attractive for practical applications such as sound and vibration isolation. However, the acoustic and mechanical characteristics of biocomposites and their dynamic behaviors should be fully determined before considering them for practical applications. In this chapter, acoustic properties, such as sound absorption and transmission loss, and mechanical properties, such as damping and elasticity of luffa fiber reinforced composites, are presented. The variations in acoustic and mechanical properties due to different samples and manufacturing process are explored.WOS:000532438200017Scopus - Affiliation ID: 60105072Book Citation Index- ScienceArticle; Book ChapterOcak2019YÖK - 2018-1

Effect of High-Fat Diet on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is chronic disease where normal tissues attacked by the body’s immune system. Discover how SLE and CVD positively impact one another as well as other influencing factors, such as lifestyle, that support this relationship. Test the hypothesis that high-dietary fat accelerates the progression of SLE as well as CVD.Biomedical Engineering, Department ofHonors Colleg

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Dampens Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver by Modulating Liver Function, Lipid Profile and Macrophage Polarization

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to attenuate obesity, fatty liver disease, hepatic inflammation and lipid profiles. Here, we validate the efficacy of EGCG in a murine model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and extend the mechanistic insights. NAFLD was induced in mice by a high-fat diet (HFD) with 30% fructose. EGCG was administered at a low dose (25 mg/kg/day, EGCG-25) or high dose (50 mg/kg/day, EGCG-50) for 8 weeks. In HFD-fed mice, EGCG attenuated body and liver weight by ~22% and 47%, respectively, accompanied by ~47% reduction in hepatic triglyceride (TG) accumulation and ~38% reduction in serum cholesterol, resonating well with previous reports in the literature. In EGCG-treated mice, the hepatic steatosis score and the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis activity score were both reduced by ~50% and ~57%, respectively, accompanied by improvements in hepatic inflammation grade. Liver enzymes were improved ~2–3-fold following EGCG treatment, recapitulating previous reports. Hepatic flow cytometry demonstrated that EGCG-fed mice had lower Ly6C+, MHCII+ and higher CD206+, CD23+ hepatic macrophage infiltration, indicating that EGCG impactedM1/M2 macrophage polarization. Our study further validates the salubrious effects of EGCG on NAFLD and sheds light on a novel mechanistic contribution of EGCG, namely hepatic M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization. These findings offer further support for the use of EGCG in human NAFLD

Mechanical Properties of Abaca–Glass Fiber Composites Fabricated by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Method

The application of natural fiber-reinforced composites is gaining interest in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and marine fields due to its advantages of being environmentally friendly and lightweight, having a low cost, and having a lower energy consumption during production. The incorporation of natural fibers with glass fiber hybrid composites may lead to some engineering and industrial applications. In this study, abaca/glass fiber composites were prepared using the vacuum-assisted resin transfer method (VARTM). The effect of different lamination stacking sequences of abaca–glass fibers on the tensile, flexural, and impact properties was evaluated. The morphological failure behavior of the fractured-tensile property was evaluated by 3D X-ray Computed Tomography and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results of mechanical properties were mainly dependent on the volume fraction of abaca fibers, glass fibers, and the arrangement of stacking sequences in the laminates. The higher volume fraction of abaca fiber resulted in a decrease in mechanical properties causing fiber fracture, resin cracking, and fiber pullout due to poor bonding between the fibers and the matrix. The addition of glass woven roving in the composites increased the mechanical properties despite the occurrence of severe delamination between the abaca–strand mat glass fiber