The Theory of Learning in Micro: Context & Explanation

The Theory of Learning in Micro is a proposed theory on how people micro-learn. This theory is based on the hypothesis that learning is a continual process better supported with smaller, more focused learning resources and activities. Based on two main beliefs, knowledge and design, The Theory of Learning in Micro was crafted as a foundation for how people learn in micro, providing a set of beliefs and assumptions for the microlearning design and development community

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

SummaryBackground Azithromycin has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 on the basis of its immunomodulatoryactions. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azithromycin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.Methods In this randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19Therapy [RECOVERY]), several possible treatments were compared with usual care in patients admitted to hospitalwith COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 176 hospitals in the UK. Eligible and consenting patients wererandomly allocated to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus azithromycin 500 mg once perday by mouth or intravenously for 10 days or until discharge (or allocation to one of the other RECOVERY treatmentgroups). Patients were assigned via web-based simple (unstratified) randomisation with allocation concealment andwere twice as likely to be randomly assigned to usual care than to any of the active treatment groups. Participants andlocal study staff were not masked to the allocated treatment, but all others involved in the trial were masked to theoutcome data during the trial. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treatpopulation. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936.Findings Between April 7 and Nov 27, 2020, of 16 442 patients enrolled in the RECOVERY trial, 9433 (57%) wereeligible and 7763 were included in the assessment of azithromycin. The mean age of these study participants was65·3 years (SD 15·7) and approximately a third were women (2944 [38%] of 7763). 2582 patients were randomlyallocated to receive azithromycin and 5181 patients were randomly allocated to usual care alone. Overall,561 (22%) patients allocated to azithromycin and 1162 (22%) patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days(rate ratio 0·97, 95% CI 0·87–1·07; p=0·50). No significant difference was seen in duration of hospital stay (median10 days [IQR 5 to >28] vs 11 days [5 to >28]) or the proportion of patients discharged from hospital alive within 28 days(rate ratio 1·04, 95% CI 0·98–1·10; p=0·19). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, nosignificant difference was seen in the proportion meeting the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilationor death (risk ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·87–1·03; p=0·24).Interpretation In patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, azithromycin did not improve survival or otherprespecified clinical outcomes. Azithromycin use in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 should be restrictedto patients in whom there is a clear antimicrobial indication

Paulo Freire and transformative education

The purpose of this symposium is to pay tribute to Paulo Freire, one of the most influential theorists and practitioners in adult education and pedagogy in general. The first presentation provides a general background to Freire’s work and it is followed by an exposition of Freire’s central concept of ‘Conscientization’. The discussion will then highlight two key strands in Freiere’s work, namely the Marxian and Liberation Theology strands. The concluding section addresses Freire and postcolonial politics. Paulo Freire : from Pedagogy of the Oppressed to Pedagogy of Hope (Daniel Schugurensky) Conscientization as the Object of Practice (Sue M. Scott) Freire with no Dilutions (Paula Allman) Freire and Liberation Theology (Elizabeth Lange Christensen) Paul Freire and the Colonial Legacy (Peter Mayo

Evolution of Specialized Pyramidal Neurons in Primate Visual and Motor Cortex

The neocortex of primates contains several distinct neuron subtypes. Among these, Betz cells of primary motor cortex and Meynert cells of primary visual cortex are of particular interest for their potential role in specialized sensorimotor adaptations of primates. Betz cells are involved in setting muscle tone prior to fine motor output and Meynert cells participate in the processing of visual motion. We measured the soma volumes of Betz cells, Meynert cells, and adjacent infragranular pyramidal neurons in 23 species of primate and two species of non-primate mammal (Tupaia glis and Pteropus poliocephalus) using unbiased stereological techniques to examine their allometric scaling relationships and socioecological correlations. Results show that Betz somata become proportionally larger with increases in body weight, brain weight, and encephalization whereas Meynert somata remain a constant proportion larger than other visual pyramidal cells. Phylogenetic variance in the volumetric scaling of these neuronal subtypes might be related to species-specific adaptations. Enlargement of Meynert cells in terrestrial anthropoids living in open habitats, for example, might serve as an anatomical substrate for predator detection. Modification of the connectional and physiological properties of these neurons could constitute an important evolutionary mode for species-specific adaptation

Pressure sores among malnourished necropsied adults - preliminary data Escaras de decúbito em adultos necropsiados com subnutrição - dados preliminares

Pressure sores are common among bedridden, elderly, or malnourished patients, and may occur in terminal ill patients because of impaired mobility, fecal or urinary incontinence, and decreased healing capacity. The aim of this study was to compare frequency of pressure sores between malnourished and non-malnourished necropsied adults. METHOD: All (n = 201) adults (age <FONT FACE="Symbol">³</font> 18 years) autopsied between 1986 and 1996 at the Teaching Hospital of Triangulo Mineiro Medical School (Uberaba) were eligible for the study. Gender, race, weight, height and main diagnoses were recorded. Ninety-six cases were excluded because of probable body water retention (congestive heart failure, hepatic insufficiency, nephrotic syndrome) or pressure sores secondary to peripheral vascular ischemia. Body mass index (BMI) was used to define malnourished (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) and non-malnourished (BMI > 18.5kg/m²) groups. RESULTS: Except for weight (42.5kg; range: 28-57 vs. 60; 36-134.5kg) and BMI (16.9; range: 12.4-18.5 vs. 22.7; range: 18.5-54.6kg/m²), respectively, there were no statistical differences among 43 malnourished and 62 non-malnourished cases in relation to age (54.9 ± 20.4 vs. 52.9 ± 17.9 years), percentage of white persons (74.4 vs. 64.5%), male gender (76.7 vs. 69.3%) and main diagnoses. Five malnourished (11.6%) and 7 (11.5%) non-malnourished cases had pressure sores (p=0.89). CONCLUSION: Pressure sores were equally common findings in necropsied persons with protein-energy malnutrition, as assessed by body mass index.<br>Escaras de decúbito são comuns em pacientes acamados, idosos e subnutridos e podem ocorrer em pacientes terminais devido à imobilidade, incontinência fecal e urinária e imunodepressão. Além disso, a contaminação das Escaras de decúbito aumentam o risco de sepsis e podem piorar o estado nutricional. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a freqüência de Escaras de decúbito entre adultos necropsiados com ou sem subnutrição. MÉTODO: Adultos (n=201) necropsiados no Hospital Escola da FMTM-Uberaba entre 1986 e 1996 foram inicialmente incluídos, sendo registrados os dados demográficos e diagnósticos principais, além de peso e altura corporais. Foram excluídos os casos (n=96) com edema (insuficiência cardíaca ou hepática, síndrome nefrótica) e com úlceras de origem vascular. O indice de massa corporal (IMC = kg/m²) foi utilizado para alocação dos casos em subnutridos (IMC < 18,5kg/m²) e não-subnutridos (IMC <FONT FACE="Symbol">³</font> 18,5kg/m²). RESULTADOS: Exceto pelo peso corporal (42,5; variação: 28-57 vs 60; 36-134,5kg) e IMC (16,9; variação: 12,4-18,5 vs 22,7; variação: 18,5-54,kg/m²), respectivamente, não houve diferença estatística entre subnutridos (n=43) e não-subnutridos (n=62) em relação à idade (54,9 ± 20,4 vs 52,9 ± 17,9 anos), percentagem de pessoas brancas (74,4 vs 64,5%), do sexo masculino (76,7 vs 69,3%) e diagnósticos principais. Escaras de decúbito ocorreram em freqüência similar entre subnutridos (11,6%) e não-subnutridos (11,5%). CONCLUSÃO: Escaras de decúbito foram igualmente comuns em adultos necropsiados com ou sem subnutrição energética crônica, conforme estimada pelo índice de massa corporal