Gender and ethnicity differences in metacognitive skills and problem–solving ability among physics students in johor

A study on metacognitive skills in relation to problem-solving in physics among secondary school students in Johor, Malaysia is sponsored by Research Management Centre (RMC), UTM under Vot 75161. It has finally completed its data collection and a complete Technical Report is due to be published in January 2007.The study involved a survey on 1300 physics students from nine districts of Johor namely Batu Pahat, Muar, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Johor Bahru, Segamat, Mersing, Kulai and Kluang. Two well-validated instruments on metacognitive skills and four problem-solving questions on mechanics (Fatin, 2005) were conducted among respondents selected from 9 rural schools and 15 urban schools in Johor using random cluster samplings of form four physics students. The sampling of respondents in this study did not include students from fully residential schools where the “cream� of the Malay students are mostly found. The samples comprised students from daily secondary schools (rural and urban) and premier schools (urban High Schools) in Johor. This paper forms part of the report of the short term research project and focuses only on the development of gender and ethnicity differences on metacognitive and problem-solving skills from three stages of research processes. An indepth literature review related to metacognition and physics problem-solving is discussed fully in Fatin (2005)

Tahap Kognitif Pelajar Tingkatan Empat Di Sekolah Menengah Di Dalam Daerah Kluang Johor Berdasarkan Taksonomi Bloom Dalam Mata Pelajaran Sains

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengukur tahap kognitif pelajar pada aras pengetahuan, aras kefahaman dan aras aplikasi berdasarkan Taksonomi Bloom bagi pelajar Tingkatan Empat di sekolah menengah di dalam Daerah Kluang Johor. Soal selidik yang mengandungi 30 soalan objektif digunakan untuk mengumpul data yang diedarkan secara rawak kepada 102 orang pelajar Tingkatan Empat di tiga buah sekolah menengah di dalam Daerah Kluang, Johor. Darjah kebolehpercayaan alpha Croncbach bagi instrumen yang digunakan dalam kajian ini adalah ?=0.74 . Statistik yang digunakan adalah min, sisihan piawai, markat maksimum dan markat minimum, peratusan, ujian-t dan ANOVA satu hala. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan tahap kognitif pelajar pada aras pengetahuan, kefahaman dan aplikasi berada pada tahap sederhana. Dapatan kajian juga menunjukkan tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan dalam tahap kognitif antara pelajar lelaki dan pelajar perempuan. Sebaliknya tahap kognitif pelajar berhubung kait dengan faktor etnik seseorang pelajar

PROMOTING SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION UTM

One important issue in the Science Education debate over the last century was how to preparea more relevant science education of the 21st Century that emphasizes on promoting scientificliteracy through a more meaningful science education program. In response to this call, ageneral science education elective course code named MPS1163 Epistemological, Social andEthical Issues in Science and Technology was designed and implemented starting in Semester2 Session 2009/2010. By the end of Semester 2 Session 2012/2013 the course has been runningfor 7 semesters and had invited 128 postgraduate students from 7 different programs, includinga PhD program. A questionnaire was distributed to 26 course participants at the end ofsemester 2 Session 2012/2013. The objective of the questionnaire was to seek their personalassessment on their knowledge and understanding on the eleven course contents taken duringthe whole semester. The results indicated that there was a mean increment of between 40- 50%on their knowledge and understanding on the topics covered compared to their knowledge andunderstanding before taking the course. The second part of the questionnaire consisted of sixitems, using five point Likert Scale, seeking their suggestions for improving a more relevantscience education through the elective course. The response was commendable. Implicationsof the study related to course contents and students opinions on the course contents andsuggestions for the improvement of the course are discussed in this paper.Keywords: scientific literacy, technological literacy, general education elective course, a morerelevant science education

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The level of problem solving ability and its relationship with metacognitive skills among form four physics students in secondary schools in Johor

This paper respresents part of the findings of the short term research project on Metacognition funded by Research Management Centre (RMC) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The aim of this paper is to highlight part of the findings of the main study which was to determine the level of problem solving ability and its relationship with metacognitive skills among form four physics students in secondary schools in Johor. In the study, a sample of 1 300 student respondents were selected from nine districts in Johor. The districts are Batu Pahat, Muar, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Johor Bahru, Segamat, Mersing, Kulai and Kluang. Two well-validated instruments namely Metacognitive Skills Questionnaire (MSQ) and Physics Problem Solving Ability Test (PPSAT) were conducted and the data collected were analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics- means, standard deviation, percentages and inferential statistics one way ANOVA and Pearson-r were used for interpreting the data. Findings of the study revealed that the level of problem solving ability among form four physics students in Johor was moderate. Furthermore, there was a weak but significant correlation (a=0.01) between metacognitive skills and Physics problem solving ability of the respondents. However, students with high metacognitive skills had mean score on PPSAT which was significantly different from those students with moderate and weak metacognitive skills (a=0.01). There was no significant difference in Problem solving skills between students with moderate and weak metacognitive skills

Study of epistemological beliefs, attitudes towards learning and conceptual understanding of newtonian force concept among physics education undergraduates

This research is to probe the epistemological beliefs, learning attitudes and conceptual understanding towards learning Physics among the first year and final year Physics Education undergraduates (N = 68) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for 2009/2010 session. This is a descriptive quantitative research. Data are collected by using Physics Epistemological Beliefs & Attitudes Test and Force Concept Inventory. The data analysis indicates that generally the undergraduates hold high sophistication of epistemological beliefs and favorable attitudes in learning Physics. The t-tests also show that there are statistically significant differences in mean scores between first and final year undergraduates for epistemological beliefs and learning attitudes. Higher mean scores in both aspects are in favor of final year undergraduates. However, poor conceptual understanding due to misconceptions is detected among them. Gender differences are detected in both epistemological beliefs and learning attitudes tests which are in favor of female undergraduates. Pearson correlations show that there are some significant relationships between epistemological beliefs, learning attitudes and conceptual understanding. Significant correlation coefficients of .607 at alpha level .01 are detected between epistemological beliefs and conceptual understanding whereas (r = .563) between epistemological beliefs and learning attitudes

Pendidikan sains, teknologi dan masyarakat

Evolusi sains iaitu Penginstitusian Sains (Institutionalization of Science) pada awal kurun ke-17, Pemakaran Sains (Professionalization of Science) pada akhir kurun ke-17 hingga kurun ke-19 dan Pemasyarakatan Sains (Socialization of Science) pada kurun ke-20 telah mempengaruhi pembentukan dan matlamat kurikulum pendidikan sains di sekolah menengah dan pusat pengajian tinggi. Pemakaran Sains sebagai contoh telah menjadikan matlamat pembentukan kurikulum sains tahun 1960an dan 1970an sebagai menghasilkan saintis dan ahli tekno1ogi. Perang Dunia Kedua merupakan satu peristiwa sosial yang memaksa sains berinteraksi semula dengan masyarakat (pemasyarakatan). Pendidikan Sains, Teknologi dan Masyarakat adalah satu Model Kurikulum yang sedang hebat diperkatakan bagi memenuhi dua fungsi pendidikan sains iaitu menghasilkan saintis dan juga warganegara yang literat dalam sains. Namun demikian masih banyak isu-isu kurikulum yang perlu diselesaikan. Pendidikan Sains, Teknologi dan Masyarakat menyahut seruan "sains untuk semua" yang bermula pada tahun 1980an sehingga masa kini

Tahap Kognitif Pelajar Fizik Di Sekolah Berasrama Di Daerah Kuala Terengganu Dalam Menyelesaikan Masalah Fizik Berdasarkan Kepada Taksonomi Bloom

Penilaian tahap kognitif pelajar berdasarkan Taksonomi Bloom dalam menyelesakan masalah fizik menarik minat penyelidik. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji tahap kognitif pelajar fizik dalam menyelesaikan masalah fizik berdasarkan kepada Taksonomi Bloom di tiga buah sekolah berasrama di dalam daerah Kuala Terengganu. Sekolah tersebut adalah Sekolah Menengah Agama (SMA), Sekolah Menengah Sains (SMS) dan Sekolah Menengah Teknik (SMT). Seramai 88 orang pelajar lelaki dan perempuan terlibat dalam kajian ini. Alat kajian yang digunakan dalam kajian untuk menilai tahap kognitif pelajar dalam menyelesaikan masalah fizik adalah Ujian Tahap Kognitif merangkumi bab Daya dan Gerakan dan Haba. Analisis bagi data menggunakan Statistical Package for Science Social For Windows Release 11.5 (SPSS). Hasil daripada kajian menunjukkan tahap kognitif bagi SMA dan SMS pada tahap sederhana manakala pada SMT pada tahap lemah. Wujud perbezaan yang signifikan skor min bagi jantina lelaki dan perempuan yang mana lebih kepada memihak pelajar perempuan