Mediators of screening uptake in a colorectal cancer screening intervention among Hispanics

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Although a number of CRC screening tests have been established as being effective for CRC prevention and early detection, rates of CRC screening test completion in the US population remain suboptimal, especially among the uninsured, recent immigrants and Hispanics. In this study, we used a structural equation modelling approach to identify factors influencing screening test completion in a successful CRC screening program that was implemented in an uninsured Hispanic population. This information will enhance our understanding of influences on CRC screening among historically underscreened populations. Methods We used generalized structural equation models (SEM) utilizing participant reported information collected through a series of surveys. We identified direct and indirect pathways through which cofactors, CRC knowledge and individual Health Belief Model constructs (perceived benefits, barriers, susceptibility, fatalism and self-efficacy) and a latent psychosocial health construct mediated screening in an effective prospective randomized CRC screening intervention that was tailored for uninsured Hispanic Americans. Results Seven hundred twenty-three participants were eligible for inclusion; mean age was 56 years, 79.7% were female, and 98.9% were Hispanic. The total intervention effect was comparable in both models, with both having a direct and indirect effect on screening completion (n = 715, Model 1: RC = 2.46 [95% CI: 2.20, 2.71, p < 0.001]; n = 699, Model 2 RC =2.45, [95% CI: 2.18, 2.72, p < 0.001]. In Model 1, 32% of the overall effect was mediated by the latent psychosocial health construct (RC = 0.79, p < 0.001) that was in turn mainly influenced by self-efficacy, perceived benefits and fatalism. In Model 2, the most important individual mediators were self-efficacy (RC = 0.24, p = 0.013), and fatalism (RC = 0.07, p = 0.033). Conclusion This study contributes to our understanding of mediators of CRC screening and suggests that targeting self-efficacy, perceived benefits and fatalism could maximize the effectiveness of CRC screening interventions particularly in Hispanic populations.

Pembelajaran Gelombang Bunyi Menggunakan Alat Musik Suling dan Gawai pada Pelajaran IPA SMP di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

ABSTRACTThe COVID-19 pandemic requires teachers to think carefully and creatively in designing learning so that it remains interactive and appropriate to achieve the learning goals. Physics learning with using a flute and a smartphone described in this paper is the result of a thought process about how students can still conduct experiments from home using simple equipment to measure the speed of sound in the air and at the same time learn the concepts of loudness and pitch of sound. A total of 37 eighth grade students in 2020/2021 academic year and 23 students in 2018/2019 acadeymic year at a private junior high school in Bekasi were involved in a pre-experimental study with a one-group posttest only design. A set of 10-item multiple-choice diagnostic tests taken from the Mechanical Wave Conceptual Survey and summative tests in the form of structured questions were arranged to test students' conceptual understanding after receiving sound wave learning. The average of diagnostic test and summative test in the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 academic years were 30, 48 and 60 respectively out of 100 with a summative test completion percentage of 35% in 2018/2019 and 70% in 2020/2021 . Keywords: physics experiment, sound waves, recorder, smartphoneABSTRAK Masa pandemi Covid-19 menuntut guru untuk terus berpikir secara hati-hati dan kreatif dalam merancang pembelajaran agar tetap interaktif dan tepat mencapai tujuan pembelajaran yang ditetapkan. Pembelajaran dengan menggunakan suling dan berbantuan gawai yang dipaparkan dalam tulisan ini merupakan hasil dari proses berpikir tentang bagaimana siswa tetap dapat melakukan eksperimen dari rumah memanfaatkan peralatan sederhana untuk mengukur kelajuan gelombang bunyi di udara dan sekaligus mempelajari konsep kekerasan bunyi (loudness) dan tinggi nada (pitch) bunyi. Siswa kelas delapan sebanyak 37 siswa tahun ajaran 2020/2021 dan 23 siswa tahun ajaran 2018/2019 pada salah satu sekolah menengah pertama swasta di Kota Bekasi dilibatkan dalam penelitian pre-experiment dengan desain one-group posttest only. Seperangkat tes diagnostik berbentuk pilihan ganda sebanyak 10 butir yang diambil dari Mechanical Wave Conceptual Survey dan tes sumatif berbentuk uraian disusun untuk menguji pemahaman konsep siswa setelah mendapatkan pembelajaran gelombang bunyi. Rata-rata tes diagnostik dan tes sumatif pada tahun ajaran 2018/2019 dan 2020/2021 berturut-turut sebesar 30, 48 dan 60 dari maksimum nilai 100 dengan persentase ketuntasan tes sumatif sebesar 35% di 2018/2019 dan 70% di 2020/2021.Kata kunci: eksperimen fisika, gelombang bunyi, suling, gawai

A Cognitive Diagnostic Module Based on the Repair Theory for a Personalized User Experience in E-Learning Software

This paper presents a novel cognitive diagnostic module which is incorporated in e-learning software for the tutoring of the markup language HTML. The system is responsible for detecting the learners’ cognitive bugs and delivering personalized guidance. The novelty of this approach is that it is based on the Repair theory that incorporates additional features, such as student negligence and test completion times, in its diagnostic mechanism; also, it employs a recommender module that suggests students optimal learning paths based on their misconceptions using descriptive test feedback and adaptability of learning content. Considering the Repair theory, the diagnostic mechanism uses a library of error correction rules to explain the cause of errors observed by the student during the assessment. This library covers common errors, creating a hypothesis space in that way. Therefore, the test items are expanded, so that they belong to the hypothesis space. Both the system and the cognitive diagnostic tool were evaluated with promising results, showing that they offer a personalized experience to learners.

Group Acceptance Sampling Plan for Resubmitted Lots: Size Biased Lomax Distribution

This research reveals a group acceptance sampling plan (GASP) for lot resubmitting is designed for conditions wherein an item life is taken from the size biased Lomax distribution (SBLD). The plan parameters of the GASP are obtained by fulfilling the prefixed producer’s and consumer’s risks as per the test completion time and the number of testers. The projected plan needs a minimal sample size in comparison with the standard GASP. This proposed plan is justified with an example.