Enhancing Students' Combinatorial Thinking for Graceful Coloring Problem: A STEM-Based, Research-Informed Approach in ATM Placement

Combinatorial generalization thinking, a component of higher-order thinking skills, encompasses perception (pattern identification), expressions (pattern illustration), symbolic expressions (pattern formulation), and manipulation (combinatorial results application). Implementing a research-based learning (RBL) model with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) approach can effectively transform students' learning processes, promoting experiential learning through the integration of STEM elements. This study employs a mixed-method research design, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, to evaluate the impact of this RBL-STEM model on students' ability to solve graceful coloring problems, hence developing their combinatorial thinking skills. Two distinct classes, one experimental and one control, were analyzed for statistical homogeneity, normality, and independent t-test comparisons. Results indicated a significant post-test t-score difference between the two groups. Consequently, we conclude that the RBL model with a STEM approach significantly enhances students' combinatorial generalization thinking skills in solving graceful coloring problems. As this research provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of a STEM-based RBL model, educators, and curriculum developers are encouraged to incorporate this approach into their instructional strategies for enhancing combinatorial thinking skills. Future research should consider various contexts and diverse student populations to further validate and generalize these findings

Human-Machine Interaction and Human Resource Management Perspective for Collaborative Robotics Implementation and Adoption

The shift towards human-robot collaboration (HRC) has the potential to increase productivity and sustainability, while reducing costs for the manufacturing industries. Indeed, it holds great potential for workplaces, allowing individuals to forsake repetitive or physically demanding jobs to focus on safer and more fulfilling ones. Still, integration of humans and machines in organizations presents great challenges to IS scholars due to the complexity of aligning digitalization and human resources. A knowledge gap does persist about organizational implications when it comes to implement collaborative robotics in the workplace and to support proper HRC. Thus, this paper aims to identify recommended human resources management (HRM) practices from previous research about human-robot interaction (HRI). As our results highlight that few studies attempted to fill the gap, a conceptual framework is proposed. It integrates HRM practices, technology adoption dimensions and main determinants of HRC, in the objective to support collaborative robotics implementation in organizations

Analyzing Qualitative Data with MAXQDA

“To begin at the beginning” is the opening line of the play Under Milk Wood by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. So, we also want to start here at the beginning and start with some information about the history of the analysis software MAXQDA. This story is quite long; it begins in 1989 with a first version of the software, then just called “MAX,” for the operating system DOS and a book in the German language. The book’s title was Text Analysis Software for the Social Sciences. Introduction to MAX and Textbase Alpha written by Udo Kuckartz, published by Gustav Fischer in 1992. Since then, there have been many changes and innovations: technological, conceptual, and methodological. MAXQDA has its roots in social science methodology; the original name MAX was reference to the sociologist Max Weber, whose methodology combined quantitative and qualitative methods, explanation, and understanding in a way that was unique at the time, the beginning of the twentieth century. Since the first versions, MAX (later named winMAX and MAXQDA) has always been a very innovative analysis software. In 1994, it was one of the first programs with a graphical user interface; since 2001, it has used Rich Text Format with embedded graphics and objects. Later, MAXQDA was the first QDA program (QDA stands for qualitative data analysis) with a special version for Mac computers that included all analytical functions. Since autumn 2015, MAXQDA has been available in almost identical versions for Windows and Mac, so that users can switch between operating systems without having to familiarize themselves with a new interface or changed functionality. This compatibility and feature equality between Mac and Windows versions is unique and greatly facilitates team collaboration. MAXQDA has also come up with numerous innovations in the intervening years: a logically and very intuitively designed user interface, very versatile options for memos and comments, numerous visualization options, the summary grid as a middle level of analysis between primary data and categories, and much more, for instance, transcription, geolinks, weight scores for coding, analysis of PDF files, and Twitter analysis. Last but not least, the mixed methods features are worth mentioning, in which MAXQDA has long played a pioneering role. This list already shows that today MAXQDA is much more than text analysis software: the first chapter of this book contains a representation of the data types that MAXQDA can analyze today (in version 2018) and shows which file formats can be processed. The large variety of data types is contrasted by an even greater number o

Deprescribing: a self-portrait about the reduction of polypharmacy in Portugal

Drug use in older adults’ patients (≥65 years) is extensive, increases substantially with age, and is associated with many adverse outcomes. Polypharmacy is commonly defined as taking 5 or more medications daily and affects between 30 and 70% of older adults. Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) refers to medication of which the harms outweigh the benefits, and its prevalence is 20 to 65%. Several strategies have been developed to identify inappropriate prescription patterns, the most common are Beers and STOPP/START criteria. Deprescription is a systematic process to of identifying and discontinuing drugs that are not beneficial or are not aligned with the patient’s care goal. Many deprescribing processes have been proposed, but none is widely used. This thesis aims to assess the knowledge of older adults about the deprescription, its effect on willingness to have regular medications deprescribed and their quality of life outcome. To achieve these objectives, we proposed to divide the project into three phases. The first two would be cross-sectional studies carried out at the national level and the last a non-pharmacological random clinical trial in the centre region of Portugal. Of the three phases, we have completed only the first two, the last has been postponed. In the first phase, we assessed the prevalence and patterns of polypharmacy and PIM in the Portuguese older adult population. In the second phase, we evaluated the barriers and facilitators of deprescribing perceived by Portuguese polymedicated older adults and their willingness to have regular medications deprescribed and to self-medicate. In the first study, we found that 77% of the sample had polypharmacy and 68.6% used at least one PIM. The likelihood of having polypharmacy increased with age, number of chronic health problems and number of prescribers; and the likelihood of having PIM increased with being female, number of chronic health problems, number of drugs and number of prescribers. The most common PIM were proton-pump inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and benzodiazepines. In the second study, we found that 74% of the sample believed that drugs were generally beneficial. However, 19.9% indicated a high belief that drugs were harmful and 33.4% that they were generally overused. We also found that 61.8% were against the idea of deprescribing (against 24.6% who were in favour) and that 40% had a need to self-medicate. Those against being deprescribed had lower education level and a higher number of perceived morbidities than those not against being deprescribed; and the need to self-medication was associated with higher formal education, lower feeling of overuse of medication by doctors and a lower belief that medicines are harmful. Our results show that polypharmacy and PIM are very common occurrence in Portugal; and that most Portuguese older adults see mediation as beneficial and, therefore, are against the idea of being subject to deprescription. Self-medication is also common. These results will increase general practitioners, society and policy makers awareness for these problems and help them to better start addressing them. However, more research is needed to clarify the impact of deprescribing process in the Portuguese population health and well-being or, alternatively, to improve the process of prescription drugs, avoiding their excess.O consumo de medicamentos pelos idosos (≥65 anos) é elevado, aumenta substancialmente com a idade e está associado a muitos efeitos adversos. A polifarmácia é comummente definida como a toma diária de 5 ou mais medicamentos e afeta entre 30 e 70% dos idosos. Os medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPI) referem-se a medicamentos cujos malefícios são superiores aos benefícios e ocorre em 20 a 65% dos idosos. Várias estratégias foram desenvolvidas para identificar padrões de prescrição inadequada, sendo os mais comuns os critérios de Beers e STOPP/START. A desprescrição é um processo sistemático de identificação e descontinuação de medicamentos que não são benéficos ou não estão alinhados com os objetivos de saúde do paciente. Muitos processos de desprescrição foram propostos, mas nenhum é amplamente utilizado. Esta tese teve como objetivo avaliar o conhecimento dos idosos acerca da desprescrição e o seu efeito sobre a vontade de ter medicação habitual desprescrita e na qualidade de vida. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos foi proposto a divisão do projeto em três fases, as duas primeiras seriam estudos transversais de âmbito nacional e a última um ensaio clínico randomizado não farmacológico. Das três fases apenas as duas primeiras foram realizadas, tendo sido a última adiada. Na primeira fase avaliámos a prevalência e os padrões da polifarmácia e MPI na população idosa portuguesa. Na segunda fase avaliámos as barreiras e facilitadores da desprescrição percecionados pelos idosos portugueses polimedicados e a sua vontade de ter medicação habitual desprescrita e de se automedicar. No primeiro estudo encontrámos que 77% da amostra apresentava polifarmácia e 68,6% apresentavam pelo menos um MPI. A probabilidade de ter polifarmácia aumentou com a idade, número de doenças crónicas e número de prescritores e a de ter MPI aumentou com o ser do género feminino, com o número de problemas crónicos de saúde, o número de medicamentos prescritos e o número de prescritores. Os MPI mais comuns foram os inibidores da bomba de protões, os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides e as benzodiazepinas. No segundo estudo encontrámos que 74% da amostra acreditava que os medicamentos eram geralmente benéficos. No entanto, 19,9% indicaram uma grande crença de que os medicamentos eram prejudiciais e 33,4% de que eram usados em excesso. Também descobrimos que 61,8% eram contra a ideia de serem sujeitos a desprescrição (contra 24,6% que eram a favor) e que 40% tinham necessidade de se automedicar. Os que eram contra a desprescrição tinham menor nível de escolaridade e maior número de doenças crónicas percecionadas do que aqueles que não eram contra a desprescrição; e a necessidade de automedicação estava associada a uma maior educação formal, uma menor crença de uso excessivo de medicamentos pelos médicos e a uma menor crença de que os medicamentos são prejudiciais. Os nossos resultados revelam que a polifarmácia e a MPI são muito comuns em Portugal; e que a maioria dos idosos portugueses vê a mediação como benéfica e, portanto, é contra a ideia de ser sujeito a desprescrição. A automedicação também é frequente. Estes resultados aumentarão a consciencialização dos médicos de família, da sociedade e dos agentes políticos acerca destes problemas e ajudá-los-ão a começar a resolvê-los melhor. No entanto, são necessários mais estudos para esclarecer o impacto do processo de desprescrição na saúde e bem-estar da população portuguesa, ou em alternativa melhorar o processo de prescrição de medicamentos evitando o seu excesso

From gimmick to game-changer : a study on the use smartphones to expand access to higher education in sub-Saharan Africa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology at Massey University, New Zealand

Today, blended university courses are designed with an unspoken assumption that students will use desktop PCs and laptops for online learning. Recent studies regarding smartphone usage in educational settings explore ways to adapt desktop PC and laptop content for viewing on smartphones; however, the impact of these studies is limited. Smartphones are still subservient to conventional platforms. While this is not an issue in developed countries, it is problematic for developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Only 20% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa own desktop PCs and laptops compared to 80% smartphone ownership. The dearth of these conventional platforms means many learners in sub-Saharan Africa are excluded from the benefits of blended learning. This research took the first steps to explore whether a student who owns a smartphone and does not have access to a desktop PC or laptop can successfully participate in a blended university course. Shaped by the pragmatist philosophical perspective, the research utilised a mixed-methods case study design. The case examined was Tom Mboya University College (TMUC), a Kenyan public university that exclusively offers on-campus courses. The research progressed in four phases: a feasibility study; survey with students (n = 114); interviews with lecturers (n = 17); and beta-testing of a smartphone-supported blended course with students. Results indicate that smartphones could provide a viable learning platform. Key findings identify that TMUC students and lecturers value smartphone-supported learning due to its ability to enhance collaborative learning activities. Furthermore, the results led to the development of a novel framework entitled ‘Smartphone Only Learning Environment’ (SOLE), that provides guidelines on how teachers can deliver blended university courses solely to smartphones.The research implication is three-fold: First, it facilitates introduction of blended learning in extraordinarily resource-constrained public universities of sub-Saharan Africa. Second, it provides the foundations for critical discussions on smartphone-supported online learning policies; notably, discussions about supporting teachers by providing an institution LMS are necessary. Finally, underpinned by the collectivist culture of sub-Saharan Africa, this research showcases opportunities for educators around the world to uncover learning theories that focus on more collaborative forms of blended learning

Implications in productivity and employment

UIDB/04647/2020 UIDP/04647/2020Recent developments in automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are leading to a wave of innovation in organizational design and changes in the workplace. Techno-optimists even named it the ‘second machine age’, arguing that it now involves the substitution of the human brain. Other authors see this as just a continuation of previous ICT developments. Potentially, automation and AI can have significant technical, economic, and social implications in firms. The paper will answer the question: what are the implications on industrial productivity and employment in the automotive sector with the recent automation trends, including AI, in Portugal? Our approach used mixed methods to conduct statistical analyses of relevant databases and interviews with experts on R&D projects related to automation and AI implementation. Results suggest that automation can have widespread adoption in the short term in the automotive sector, but AI technologies will take more time to be adopted. Findings show that adoption of automation and AI increases productivity in firms and is dephased in time with employment implications. Investments in automation are not substituting operators but rather changing work organization. Thus, negative effects about technology and unemployment were not substantiated by our results.publishersversionpublishe