Impact of academic cheating and perceived online learning effectiveness on academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic among Pakistani students.

Objective: The study was conducted to examine academic cheating behaviors and perceived online effectiveness on academic performance during the period of COVID-19 among schools, colleges, and university students in Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was used in the current study. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data. The study included a total sample of N = 8,590 students, with males (n = 3,270, 38%) and females (n = 5,320, 61%) participating. The data was divided into three categories: high schools (n = 1,098, 12.7%), colleges (n = 4,742, 55.2%), and universities (n = 2,570, 32.1%). School students had an average age of (M = 15, SD = 4.65), college students had an average age of (M = 20, SD = 5.64), and university students had an average age of (M = 24, SD = 5.01). Result: The results indicated that 60% of students admitted to cheating during online exams most of the time; 30% of students admitted to cheating at least once during an online exam. The study found that students (from high school, college, and university) obtained higher grades in online exams as compared to physical exams. Furthermore, significant gender differences were found on the scales of online learning effectiveness in school, college, and university students (t = 2.3*, p = 0.05 vs. t = 4.32**, p = 0.000 vs. t = -3.3*, p = 0.04). Similarly, on the scale of academic performance, students have significant gender differences. Multivariate regression analysis confirms that students' 26% academic performance was increased due to cheating (F (2, 8,588) = 16.24, p = 0.000). Students believe online learning is effective because academic grades are easily obtained. Conclusion: Cheating is more common and easier in online courses, according to more than half of respondents, and they take advantage of this. Academicians are heavily encouraged to develop morality and ethics in their students so that their institutions can produce ethical professionals for the educational community.

Treatment of melasma with low fluence, large spot size, 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of melasma in Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV.

Melasma is a common condition affecting over six million American women. Treatment of dermal or combined melasma is difficult and does not respond well to conventional topical therapies. Various light sources have been used recently in the treatment of melasma including fractionated ablative and non-ablative lasers as well as intense pulse light. We report the use of low fluence, large spot size Q-switched, Nd:Yag laser for the treatment of melasma in skin types II-IV.

High-fluence and high-density treatment of perioral rhytides using a new, fractionated 2,790-nm ablative erbium-doped Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet Laser.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel 2,790-nm erbium-doped yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) laser system for the treatment of facial photodamage and perioral wrinkles using a single-treatment, high-fluence, high-density protocol. METHODS: Eleven female participants with Fitzpatrick skin types II to III and facial wrinkles underwent a single full-face fractional ablative treatment with a 2,790-nm Er:YSGG laser. Follow-up visits were completed at 1, 2, and 6 weeks 3 and 6 months. Quartile improvement scale (0-4) and Fitzpatrick wrinkle scores (1-9) were used for the assessments. RESULTS: Based on blinded photographic assessments, the mean difference in Fitzpatrick wrinkle scores for full face wrinkles was 1.5 ± 1.2 (a reduction from 6.6 to 5.1; paired t-test, p = .003). There was also a statistically significant mean reduction of 1.7 ± 1.3 in perioral wrinkle scores (from 6.7 to 5.0; p = .002). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: A novel, fractionated, ablative 2,790-nm Er:YSGG laser can safely and effectively treat photodamage and perioral wrinkles in a single treatment using a high-fluence, high-density protocol. Cutera provided the equipment used in this study and funding to Dr. Goldberg.

Comparative treatment of small diameter (< or =400 microm) vascular lesions using extended pulse dye lasers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended-pulse dye lasers (EPDL) are commonly used to treat a variety of vascular lesions. This study evaluated whether differences in pulse formats and cooling methods might affect outcome in the treatment of small facial telangictasia. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten subjects presenting with symmetric, bilateral facial telangiectasia were studied. Each side of the face was treated with either the V-Startrade mark smart-cool air cooling (Cynosure, Inc.) (VS) or V-beam DCD cooling (Candela, Inc.) (VB) EPDL treatments with both systems were undertaken with a 10-milliseconds pulse duration, 1 J/cm(2) below the purpuric threshold, with up to three passes. RESULTS: Treatment clearance with the VS EPDL occurred with a lower fluence, using fewer passes than with the VB EPDL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although both the currently popular EPDL systems are highly effective in the treatment of small facial telangiectasia, clinical differences can be seen between these two systems.

Clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural changes after nonablative treatment with a 595-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser: comparison of varying settings.

BACKGROUND: The flashlamp-pulsed dye laser has been used for nonablative dermal remodeling. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a study analyzing the clinical, histologic, and electron microscopic findings after treatment with different flashlamp-pulsed dye laser settingss in the same subject. RESULTS: Most subjects showed mild to moderate improvement after flashlamp-pulsed dye laser laser treatment. There was no statistical difference in the clinical, histologic, or electron microscopic findings with a variety of laser treatment settings. CONCLUSION: Nonablative dermal remodeling can be accomplished with not only a variety of different technologies, but also with the same laser using markedly different settings.

Atrophic and a mixed pattern of acne scars improved with a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND: Acne scar correction remains a challenge to the dermatologic surgeon. With nonablative laser resurfacing, this correction is imputed to dermal collagen remodeling and acne scar reorganization. Although atrophic acne scars tend to respond to laser treatment, the deeper ice pick and boxcar scars tend to be laser resistant. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment of atrophic and a mixed pattern of facial acne scars, we evaluated a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser. Twelve subjects with atrophic facial acne scars (N=6) or a combination of atrophic and pitted, sclerotic, or boxcar scars (N=6) received three laser treatments. Physician and patient acne scar ratings were performed at baseline and at 6 months after the last treatment. Acne scars were rated with a 10-point severity scale. RESULTS: Mean acne scar improvement was 1.5 points on physician assessments (P=0.002) and 2.2 points on patient assessments (P=0.01). Acne scars were rated more severely by patients than by the physician at all intervals. There were no noted complications at 6 months. CONCLUSION: The 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective nonablative modality for the improvement of atrophic and a mixed pattern of facial acne scars.

Laser-assisted hair removal in Asian skin: efficacy, complications, and the effect of single versus multiple treatments.

BACKGROUND: Alexandrite laser hair removal can be quite successful in lighter skin types. Effective hair removal in Asians can be difficult, and multiple treatments are usually required for effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of alexandrite laser hair removal in Asian skin, to determine the benefit of multiple treatments, and to evaluate the value of test patches before laser treatment. METHODS: One hundred forty-four Asian subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III to V were treated with a cooled 40-ms alexandrite laser with fluences of 16 to 24 J/cm2. Initially, all treated subjects underwent test patch application. After test patch application, 35 subjects with 66 anatomic sites received three treatments. Thirty-five subjects with 66 anatomic sites received two treatments, and 74 subjects with 124 anatomic received a single treatment. All subjects were followed for 9 months after their final treatment. RESULTS: In subjects that were treated three times, a 55% hair reduction was noted at 9 months after the third treatment. In subjects treated two times, a 44% hair reduction was noted at 9 months after the second treatment. In subjects treated only one time, a 32% hair reduction was noted at 9 months after the single treatment. No subjects had scarring or long-term pigmentary changes. There appeared to be no correlation between test patch acute complications and those seen after actual treatments. CONCLUSION: Although Asian skin can be effectively treated with a cooled, long-pulsed alexandrite laser, complications do occur. Laser hair removal efficacy was increased with multiple treatments. There does not appear to be an exact correlation in Asian skin between complications occurring after test patch treatment and those seen with subsequent treatments.