E-learning and E-modules in medical education-A SOAR analysis using perception of undergraduate students.

BACKGROUND: Application of e-learning and e-modules in medical education has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes among all types of learners, across diverse educational settings. Despite its benefits, e-learning and e-modules has not yet reached its full potential in medical education in India. Objective of this study is to evaluate the perception of undergraduate students regarding e-learning and e-modules using an appreciative inquiry tool SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, and to identify the barriers and challenges for the same. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted among participants from three consecutive batches (n = 250 x 3) of first-year medical students and two consecutive batches (n = 100 x 2) of first-year dental students. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method. Two structured and validated questionnaires were developed for this study based on the modified Zhou's Mixed Methods Model; the 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practice' Questionnaire (KAPQ) on e-learning and the feedback questionnaire (FBQ) on e-modules. The questionnaires were administered via MOODLE / hard copy, before and after the implementation of e-modules, respectively. Identified strengths, potential opportunities, probable aspirations and likely results for e-learning and e-modules were tabulated based on the qualitative analysis of perceptions of large number students sampled across three years. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety students returned both questionnaires representing a response rate of 76.6%. Nine themes were identified in the "Strengths" domain as follows: Regular Update of Knowledge, Innovative Learning, Availability, Knowledge Sharing, Abundance of Information, Accessibility, Source of Knowledge, Creativity, and Increased Engagement. Eleven themes were identified in the "Opportunities" domain as follows: Clinical Skills training, Timesaving, Flexibility, Creativity, Increased engagement, Standardized content, Capacity building for students, Capacity building for faculty, Skills training, and Self-assessment. Thirteen themes were identified under the "Aspirations" domain with the three key themes being "maintaining and building on current strengths", "increasing potential opportunities", and "addressing the barriers and challenges identified in the responses to the KAPQ and FBQ questionnaire". Four themes identified for 'Barriers' were eye strain, distractions, preference for conventional methodologies, and internet connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this qualitative study are based on the responses received from first-year medical and dental students of a Private University in Chennai, India. In this population of students, implementation of e-learning as blended learning using structured and interactive e-modules may provide more engagement during learning as well as support self-directed learning (SDL) directly or indirectly. Adoption of blended learning with e-modules as an integral part of curriculum planning may be beneficial for the achievement of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) goals in India.

Validation of Internal structure of Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale among Indian Medical Students using factor analysis and the Structural equation Modelling Approach.

BACKGROUND: The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) is a tool that helps in the assessment of the readiness of the students to pursue Self-Directed Learning (SDL). There are no documented studies on the validation of internal structure of the SDLRS among Indian medical students. Hence, the objective of this study is to validate the internal structure of SDLRS among Indian medical students using factor analysis and the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. METHODS: We administered Fisher's 40-item SDLRS to 750 students after receiving the ethics clearance and the author's permission and taking written informed consent from all the study participants (response rate: 92%). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Cronbach's alpha were performed using SPSS version 25 and the Lavaan package of R version 3.1.2. RESULTS: The values of the comparative fit index (CFI), standardised root-mean-square residual (SRMR), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were ≥ 0.9, ≤ 0.08, and ≤ 0.08, respectively, for a model fit to be acceptable. EFA showed that except for Q2 (loading score: 0.210), Q12 (loading score: 0.384), Q13 (loading score: 0.362), and Q25 (loading score: -0.219), all the items loaded well. After the exclusion of the aforementioned items, the factor loading scores for the items in the self-management, desire for learning, and self-control factors ranged from 0.405 to 0.753 (Cronbach α: 0.775), 0.396 to 0.616 (Cronbach α: 0.730), and 0.427 to 0.556 (Cronbach α: 0.799), respectively. The updated model was used for CFA, which displayed a good model fit. CONCLUSIONS: The resultant model consisting of 36 items is shown to have internal structure validity for Indian version of SDLRS, which can be used to assess medical students.

Correction: Organic guest molecule induced ultrafast breathing of an epitaxially grown metal-organic framework on a self-assembled monolayer.

Correction for 'Organic guest molecule induced ultrafast breathing of an epitaxially grown metal-organic framework on a self-assembled monolayer' by Purna Chandra Rao et al., Chem. Commun., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/d1cc03721h.

Organic guest molecule induced ultrafast breathing of an epitaxially grown metal-organic framework on a self-assembled monolayer.

We report epitaxially grown new two-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). We fabricated these epitaxial thin-films using stepwise layer-by-layer seeding followed by solvothermal treatment. The MOF thin films exhibit ultrafast structural flexibility (through breathing) compared to their bulk samples upon uptake of organic guest molecules.

Development of Sn-doped ZnO based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting application.

In this work, we have a demonstrated zinc oxide (ZnO) polymer-based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) on a paper substrate for an energy harvesting application. The ZnO thin film is developed on the paper substrate, where different doping concentrations of Sn have been investigated systematically to validate the effect of doping towards enhancing the device performance. The piezoelectric potential of the fabricated device is evaluated by applying three different loads (4 N, 8 N, 22 N), where the source of the corresponding mechanical loads is based on the object of a musical drum stick. The results suggest that the pristine ZnO PENG device can generate a maximum output voltage and current of 2.15 V and 17 nA respectively. Moreover, the ZnO PENG device doped with 2.5% Sn achieved an even higher voltage (4.15 V) and current (36 nA) compared to pristine ZnO devices. In addition, the hydrothermal growth technique used to develop Sn-doped ZnO has the benefits of high scalability and low cost. Hence, the Sn-doped PENG device is a suitable candidate for energy harvesting applications operating in both uniform and non-uniform loading conditions.

Sodalite-type Cu-based Three-dimensional Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Inspired by copper-based oxygen reduction biocatalysts, we have studied the electrocatalytic behavior of a Cu-based MOF (Cu-BTT) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. This catalyst reduces the oxygen at the onset (Eonset ) and half-wave potential (E1/2 ) of 0. 940 V and 0.778 V, respectively. The high halfway potential supports the good activity of Cu-BTT MOF. The high ORR catalytic activity can be interpreted by the presence of nitrogen-rich ligand (tetrazole) and the generation of nascent copper(I) during the reaction. In addition to the excellent activity, Cu-BTT MOF showed exceptional stability too, which was confirmed through chronoamperometry study, where current was unchanged up to 12 h. Further, the 4-electrons transfer of ORR kinetics was confirmed by hydrodynamic voltammetry. The oxygen active center namely copper(I) generation during ORR has been understood by the reduction peak in cyclic voltammetry as well in the XPS analysis.

Long-range ferromagnetism in nickel-based hybrid structure with semiconductor behavior.

Here we report a new three-dimensional nickel-based hybrid structure [Ni3(BTB)2(BPE)4(H2O)2]·2DMF·2H2O, 1 [where BTB = 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene and BPE = 1,2-bis((4-pyridyl)ethane)], which exhibits long-range ferromagnetism and semiconductor behavior. The dipolar interaction between the magnetic spins is suggested to explain the development of long-range ferromagnetic ordering, where the superexchange interaction can be unwanted due to the large distance between the magnetic spins. Optical band gap and resistance vs. temperature measurements reveal the semiconductor nature of this compound. The density of states calculations shed light towards the origin of the low band gap value.

Multi-Response Optimization of WEDM Process Parameters for Machining of Superelastic Nitinol Shape-Memory Alloy Using a Heat-Transfer Search Algorithm.

Nitinol, a shape-memory alloy (SMA), is gaining popularity for use in various applications. Machining of these SMAs poses a challenge during conventional machining. Henceforth, in the current study, the wire-electric discharge process has been attempted to machine nickel-titanium (Ni55.8Ti) super-elastic SMA. Furthermore, to render the process viable for industry, a systematic approach comprising response surface methodology (RSM) and a heat-transfer search (HTS) algorithm has been strategized for optimization of process parameters. Pulse-on time, pulse-off time and current were considered as input process parameters, whereas material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness, and micro-hardness were considered as output responses. Residual plots were generated to check the robustness of analysis of variance (ANOVA) results and generated mathematical models. A multi-objective HTS algorithm was executed for generating 2-D and 3-D Pareto optimal points indicating the non-dominant feasible solutions. The proposed combined approach proved to be highly effective in predicting and optimizing the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process parameters. Validation trials were carried out and the error between measured and predicted values was negligible. To ensure the existence of a shape-memory effect even after machining, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test was carried out. The optimized parameters were found to machine the alloy appropriately with the intact shape memory effect.

Cobalt-Based Coordination Polymer for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Lack of control over the structure and electrically nonconductive properties of coordination polymers (CPs) creates a major hindrance to designing an active electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, we report a new semiconductive and low-optical band gap CP structure [{Co3(µ3-OH)(BTB)2(BPE)2}{Co0.5N(C5H5)}], 1, that exhibits high-performance ORR in alkaline medium. The electrical conductivity of compound 1 was measured using impedance spectroscopy and found to be 5 × 10-4 S cm-1. The Ketjenblack EC-600JD carbon used as a support for all the electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk electrode, rotating ring-disk electrode and Koutecký-Levich analysis. The as-synthesized Co-based catalyst has the ability to reduce O2 to H2O by a nearly four-electron process. The crystal structure of 1 shows that the trimeric unit {Co3(µ3-OH)(COO)5N3} and monomeric unit {Co(COO)2(NC5H4)2}2+ are linked with BTB and BPE linkers to form a three-dimensional structure. Theoretical calculations predict that the monomeric center acts as an active catalytic site for ORR. This could be due to the efficient overlap of highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital between monomer and O2 molecule. This CP, 1, shows facile 3.6-electron ORR, and it is inexpensive compared with widely used Pt catalysts. Therefore, this CP can be used as a promising cathode material for fuel cells in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness.

"Turn-on" Fluorescence Sensing and Discriminative Detection of Aliphatic Amines Using a 5-Fold-Interpenetrated Coordination Polymer.

A 5-fold-interpenetrated zinc-based coordination polymer can discriminately detect aliphatic amines through a fluorescence "turn-on" method. This compound can sense aliphatic amines in the solid state, solution state, and vapor phase. Theoretical calculations revealed that the ground-state dipole moment of the corresponding amines guides the order of enhancement.