Early research investigated the students understanding of science concepts using physical equipment, such as visiting labs and performing experiments but due to the advancement of new technology, students now can learn complex science concepts through advanced means, such as iPad, smart books and simulations. In Pakistan, interactive computer simulation program is rarely used for teaching at the early ages. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the interactive computer simulation program PhET to teach weight and mass concepts to high school students. Quasi-experimental design was used to study the effect of the interactive computer simulation on students’ physics concepts. Study also explored the student’s engagement with simulation to exercise high order thinking skills. The experimental group was taught with the interactive computer simulation program, and the control group was taught with traditional teaching method. There were five lessons each week, and the program was used for a month. Pre- and post-tests were designed for both experimental and control groups. Independent sample t-tests showed that the difference was significant between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups after the experiment (p
The development of complex biological sample-compatible fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with improved performances is highly important for their real-world bioanalytical and biomedical applications. Herein, we report on the first hydrophilic “turn-on”-type fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles capable of directly, highly selectively, and rapidly optosensing hippuric acid (HA) in the undiluted human urine samples. These fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles were readily obtained through first the synthesis of core-shell-corona-structured nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)-labeled hydrophilic fluorescent MIP microspheres by performing one-pot surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization on the preformed “living” silica particles and subsequent removal of their silica core via hydrofluoric acid etching. They showed “turn-on” fluorescence and high optosensing selectivity and sensitivity toward HA in the artificial urine (the limit of detection = 0.097 μM) as well as outstanding photostability and reusability. Particularly, they exhibited much more stable aqueous dispersion ability, significantly faster optosensing kinetics, and higher optosensing sensitivity than their solid counterparts. They were also directly used for quantifying HA in the undiluted human urine with good recoveries (96.0%–102.0%) and high accuracy (RSD ≤ 4.0%), even in the presence of several analogues of HA. Such fluorescent hollow MIP microparticles hold much promise for rapid and accurate HA detection in the clinical diagnostic field.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.