Mathematica: Teaching Learning Process at Secondary School Level in Punjab

Technology becomes an integral part of academia. Computer or technology is rooted out from Mathematics. When it is said that 21st century is the century of technology, then how the field of education is remained away from technology. Modern science labs are technology oriented and in such a way the subject of Mathematics is also shifted on technology. Mathematics is not an integral part of daily routine life as well as playing a key role in the progress of science and technology. In the teaching learning process, technology-based teaching is the modern mode of teaching. Keeping in mind the same scenario, current study was conducted to highlight the concept of Mathematica (Mathematics and Information Technology) in the teaching learning process at secondary school level in Punjab province. Study aimed at to observe the technology role on the mathematics’ teaching at secondary school level. The study was quantitative by nature and descriptive approach was adopted. Self-developed questionnaire was applied as a research tool to get the data from the target sample through survey technique. Total targeted sample was 60 teachers who are teaching Mathematics at secondary school level and their 200 students. Findings of the study revealed that technology usage in the teaching learning process of mathematics enhance the understanding of the mathematical concepts many times.

The BrightEyes-TTM: an Open-Source Time-Tagging Module for Single-Photon Microscopy

Fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy (LSM) is experiencing a revolution thanks to the introduction of new asynchronous read-out single-photon (SP) array detectors. These detectors give access to an entirely new set of single-photon information typically lost in conventional fluorescence LSM, thus triggering a new imaging/spectroscopy paradigm - the so-called single-photon LSM (SP-LSM). The revolution's outcomes are, from one side, the blooming of new SP-LSM techniques and tailored SP array detectors; from the other side, the need for data-acquisition (DAQ) systems effectively supporting such innovations. In particular, there is a growing need for DAQ systems capable of handling the high throughput and high temporal reso- lution information generated by the single-photon detectors. To fill this gap, we developed an open-source multi-channel time-tagging module (TTM) based on a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA), that can temporally tag single-photon events - with 30 ps precision - and synchronisation events - with 4 ns precision. Furthermore, being an open-access project, the TTM can be upgraded, modified, and customized by the microscopy-makers. We connected the TTM to a fluorescence LSM equipped with a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) bidimensional array detector, and we implemented fluorescence lifetime image scanning microscopy (FLISM) and, for the first time, fluorescence lifetime fluctuation spectroscopy (FLFS). We expect that our BrigthEyes-TTM will support the microscopy community to spread SP-LSM in many life science labs.

ONTbarcoder and MinION barcodes aid biodiversity discovery and identification by everyone, for everyone

Background DNA barcodes are a useful tool for discovering, understanding, and monitoring biodiversity which are critical tasks at a time of rapid biodiversity loss. However, widespread adoption of barcodes requires cost-effective and simple barcoding methods. We here present a workflow that satisfies these conditions. It was developed via “innovation through subtraction” and thus requires minimal lab equipment, can be learned within days, reduces the barcode sequencing cost to < 10 cents, and allows fast turnaround from specimen to sequence by using the portable MinION sequencer. Results We describe how tagged amplicons can be obtained and sequenced with the real-time MinION sequencer in many settings (field stations, biodiversity labs, citizen science labs, schools). We also provide amplicon coverage recommendations that are based on several runs of the latest generation of MinION flow cells (“R10.3”) which suggest that each run can generate barcodes for > 10,000 specimens. Next, we present a novel software, ONTbarcoder, which overcomes the bioinformatics challenges posed by MinION reads. The software is compatible with Windows 10, Macintosh, and Linux, has a graphical user interface (GUI), and can generate thousands of barcodes on a standard laptop within hours based on only two input files (FASTQ, demultiplexing file). We document that MinION barcodes are virtually identical to Sanger and Illumina barcodes for the same specimens (> 99.99%) and provide evidence that MinION flow cells and reads have improved rapidly since 2018. Conclusions We propose that barcoding with MinION is the way forward for government agencies, universities, museums, and schools because it combines low consumable and capital cost with scalability. Small projects can use the flow cell dongle (“Flongle”) while large projects can rely on MinION flow cells that can be stopped and re-used after collecting sufficient data for a given project.

eLabFTW as an Open Science tool to improve the quality and translation of preclinical research

Reports of non-replicable research demand new methods of research data management. Electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) are suggested as tools to improve the documentation of research data and make them universally accessible. In a self-guided approach, we introduced the open-source ELN eLabFTW into our life-science lab group and, after using it for a while, think it is a useful tool to overcome hurdles in ELN introduction by providing a combination of properties making it suitable for small life-science labs, like ours. We set up our instance of eLabFTW, without any further programming needed. Our efforts to embrace open data approach by introducing an ELN fits well with other institutional organized ELN initiatives in academic research and our goals towards data quality management.

MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN SCHOOL

The aim of this study is to discover and obtain information about the upkeep of educational facilities and infrastructure at Vocational High School 2 Cikarang Barat. The analysis method used is descriptive qualitative. The study took place at Vocational High School 2 Cikarang Barat from July 2020 to December 2020. The school principal, deputy headmaster in charge of facilities and infrastructure, maintenance support staff, and students of Vocational High School 2 Cikarang Barat served as research informants. Interviews, observation, and reporting studies are all used to collect data. After that, the data is analyzed by reducing it, presenting it, and drawing conclusions. The triangulation of sources, techniques, and hypotheses is a validity technique. The study's findings indicate that: (1) Vocational High School 2 Cikarang Barat maintenance preparation starts with a work meeting, and then maintenance is divided into two categories: normal and routine maintenance. A one-year budget is generated after deciding maintenance tasks based on their categories. Following that, representatives from the facilities and infrastructure sector specifically select the structure of facility and infrastructure maintenance, as well as their respective job desks in each division, which are known to the school principal. The final move is to socialize students at school. (2) School maintenance processes and techniques begin with frequent and routine maintenance. Routine maintenance includes the upkeep of classrooms, teacher's offices, and special rooms such as libraries, computer laboratories, and science labs. The school also performs routine maintenance on air conditioners, printers, and photocopiers, as well as computer program upgrades. (3) Obstacles faced by schools in preparing facility and infrastructure repairs, including, among other problems, things that arise unexpectedly and need urgent repair at the facility. The lack of knowledge of users of school facilities and infrastructure, partners with outsiders who are often less sensitive, and cultural differences among individuals in the use of facilities and infrastructure are among the process and technological obstacles encountered.

Developing open-source software for bioimage analysis: opportunities and challenges

Fast-paced innovations in imaging have resulted in single systems producing exponential amounts of data to be analyzed. Computational methods developed in computer science labs have proven to be crucial for analyzing these data in an unbiased and efficient manner, reaching a prominent role in most microscopy studies. Still, their use usually requires expertise in bioimage analysis, and their accessibility for life scientists has therefore become a bottleneck. Open-source software for bioimage analysis has developed to disseminate these computational methods to a wider audience, and to life scientists in particular. In recent years, the influence of many open-source tools has grown tremendously, helping tens of thousands of life scientists in the process. As creators of successful open-source bioimage analysis software, we here discuss the motivations that can initiate development of a new tool, the common challenges faced, and the characteristics required for achieving success.

MinION barcodes: biodiversity discovery and identification by everyone, for everyone

DNA barcodes are a useful tool for discovering, understanding, and monitoring biodiversity. This is critical at a time when biodiversity loss is a major problem for many countries. However, widespread adoption of barcoding programs requires the process to be cost-effective and simple to apply. We here present a workflow that satisfies these conditions. It was developed via “innovation through subtraction” and thus requires minimal lab equipment, can be learned within days, reduces the barcode sequencing cost to <10 cents, and allows fast turnaround from specimen to sequence by using the real-time sequencer MinION. We first describe cost-effective and rapid procedures in a comprehensive workflow for obtaining tagged amplicons. We then demonstrate how a portable MinION device can be used for real-time sequencing of tagged amplicons in many settings (field stations, biodiversity labs, citizen science labs, schools). Small projects can use the flow cell dongle (“Flongle”) while large projects can rely on MinION flow cells that can be stopped and re-used after collecting sufficient data for a given project. We also provide amplicon coverage recommendations that are based on several runs of MinION flow cells (R10.3) involving >24,000 specimen barcodes, which suggest that each run can generate >10,000 barcodes. Additionally, we present a novel software, ONTbarcoder, that overcomes the bioinformatics challenges posed by the sequencing errors of MinION reads. This software is compatible with Windows10, Macintosh, and Linux, has a graphical user interface (GUI), and can generate thousands of barcodes on a standard laptop within hours based on two input files (FASTQ, demultiplexing file). Next, we document that MinION barcodes are virtually identical to Sanger and Illumina barcodes for the same specimens (>99.99%). Lastly, we demonstrate how rapidly MinION data have improved by comparing the performance of sequential flow cell generations. We overall assert that barcoding with MinION is the way forward for government agencies, universities, museums, and schools because it combines low consumable and capital cost with scalability. Biodiversity loss is threatening the planet and the use of MinION barcodes will help with enabling an army of researchers and citizen scientists, which is necessary for effective biodiversity discovery and monitoring.

Development and Analysis of Virtual Laboratory as an Assistive Tool for Teaching Grade 8 Physical Science Classes

This chapter discusses the development of a virtual laboratory (VL) named “EduPhysics,” an assistive software tailored around the Namibian Physical Science textbook for Grade 8 learners, and examines the viability of implementing VL in education. It further presented reviews on the role of computer simulations in science education and teachers' perspective on the use of EduPhysics in physical science classrooms. The chapter adopted a mixed method with an experimental research design and used questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools in high school physical science classes. The analysis found that there are limited resources in most physical science laboratories. Computer laboratories, however, are well equipped and have computing capacities to support the implementation of VL. It was concluded that virtual laboratories could be an alternative approach to hands-on practical work that is currently undertaken in resource-constrained physical science labs. For future work, augmented reality and logs will be incorporated within EduPhysics.