Re-considering Teacher Professional Development in the Pandemic Era: The Uruguayan Case

Abstract For more than a decade, Uruguay has maintained a considerable investment in digital technologies in primary and secondary education, as well as teacher training centers, through the implementation of the Ceibal Plan (Basic IT Computer Science Educational Connectivity Plan for Online Learning). When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Uruguay in March 2020, the government ordered the suspension of all face-to-face classes until June 2020. Then, a progressive return to school was introduced. Fortunately, the country already had a well-established technological infrastructure to rely on. Teachers across all levels of education had to quickly adapt to virtual teaching by adopting strategies that presented significant challenges, and which will make a lasting impact on teacher training and professional development. This article examines Uruguayan standards for the professional development of teachers, with a focus on digital teaching skills for online instruction. Practical examples of Ceibal initiatives are provided to promote the pedagogical use of technologies by teachers. We argue that that the emergency that Latin America and Uruguay faced in 2020 led to a fundamental rethink and redesign of teacher professional development courses and institutional support. The COVID-19 crisis has presented an enormous shock to the traditional model of education delivery, and to teacher training programs. Digital technologies are not merely devices for conveying educational content, but rather should be seen as tools for maximizing meaningful learning for students. For this purpose, adequate training and support are essential for teachers to be prepared for future scenarios of even greater uncertainty. Keywords: Teacher Professional Development, Uruguay, Emergency Remote Teaching; Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Compulsory Education; Educational Practices

Comunicación interventricular posinfarto: muchas dudas por resolver

Postmyocardial infarctionPostinfart de miocardiPostinfarto de miocardi

Results of the Technical Validation of an Accessible Contact Manager for Mobile Devices

The apparition of new mobile phones operating systems often leads to a flood of mobile applications rushing into the market without taking into account needs of the most vulnerable users groups: the people with disabilities. The need of accessible applications for mobile is very important especially when it comes to access basic mobile functions such as making calls through a contact manager. This paper presents the technical validation process and results of an Accessible Contact Manager for mobile phones as a part of the evaluation of accessible applications for mobile phones for people with disabilities

Expresión de MICA en el endometrio de mujeres infértiles

Las células natural killer (NK) constituyen la principal población leucocitaria en el endometrio durante la implantación y el embarazo temprano. Existen dos subpoblaciones, la CD16+ o citotóxica, y la CD16- o angiogénica. Al momento de la implantación embrionaria debe existir un equilibrio entre ambos recuentos a favor de la vascularización endometrial. Las células NK expresan receptores que al unirse a la célula blanco desencadenan la actividad citolítica o producción de citoquinas inflamatorias (como IFNγ) o angiogénicas (VEGF). El receptor de activación NKG2D es capaz de unirse a MICA expresada en varios tejidos, incluyendo el endometrio. A pesar de su importancia, existe poca evidencia del rol de MICA en el campo de la reproducción. A partir de estos antecedentes, decidimos caracterizar los niveles endometriales de ARNm de MICA, IFNγ y VEGF para su posible aplicación como parámetros inmunológicos en el estudio de patologías reproductivas: aborto a repetición y fallas de implantación embrionaria. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que mujeres abortadoras presentan un porcentaje de células NK endometriales y recuento de células NK angiogénicas significativamente menor respecto a las mujeres fértiles, existiendo una correlación positiva con la expresión de VEGF. Estas pacientes presentan, además, niveles significativamente aumentados de ARNm de MICA. Si bien no existen diferencias en los niveles de IFNγ, encontramos una correlación positiva significativa entre IFNγ y MICA. Las pacientes con fallas de implantación no han mostrado valores alterados de MICA por lo que este parámetro podría ser considerado un estudio diagnóstico diferencial entre ambas patologías reproductivas.Fil: Ferrer, Maria Constanza. Centro de Investigación de la Fundación Repro; Argentina. Halitus Instituto Medico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Azpiroz, Maria Agustina. Halitus Instituto Medico; ArgentinaFil: Junovich, Gisela Yael. Halitus Instituto Medico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Incera, Maria Eugenia. Halitus Instituto Medico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Iglesias, Ana. Halitus Instituto Medico; ArgentinaFil: Pappalardo, Cecilia. Halitus Instituto Medico; ArgentinaFil: Pasqualini, Agustina. Halitus Instituto Medico; ArgentinaFil: Gutierrez, Gabriela Lidia. Centro de Investigación de la Fundación Repro; Argentina. Halitus Instituto Medico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Developing Accessible Mobile Phone Applications: The Case of a Contact Manager and Real Time Text Applications

Mobile phones are becoming increasingly popular and are already the first access technology to information and communication. However, people with disabilities have to face a lot of barriers when using this kind of technology. This paper presents an Accessible Contact Manager and a Real Time Text application, designed to be used by all users with disabilities. Both applications are focused to improve accessibility of mobile phones

Incongruence between Clinicians' Assessment and Self-Reported Functioning Is Related to Psychopathology among Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Disorders

In a previous exploratory study we observed no relevant differences in psychopathology, personality and functioning between inpatients diagnosed with gastrointestinal motor disorders (GMDs) or functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGDs)[1]. However, we observed higher levels of incongruence between clinicianassessed performance status and patients' self-reported levels of functioning among patients diagnosed with FGDs. Likewise, research in other medical conditions has shown incongruence between self-reported and clinician-reported or objective measures [2]. Furthermore, in a study on chronic depression, the authors found that discrepancies between patients' and physicians' assessments of medical comorbidities were related to higher levels of depressive symptomatology [3]. In this line, the aim of this study was to explore whether the inconsistencies between clinician-assessed and patient self-reported levels of functioning could be related to psychopathology among patients admitted for evaluation of gastrointestinal motility

The role of incongruence between the perceived functioning by patients and clinicians in the detection of psychological distress among functional and motor digestive disorders

Objectives Previous research on gastrointestinal and other medical conditions has shown the presence of incongruence between self- and clinician-reported functioning and its relation with psychopathology. The main objective of this study was to test whether inconsistencies between clinician- and self-assessed functionality can be used to detect psychopathology among patients diagnosed of motor or functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods One hundred and three patients from a gastroenterology inpatient unit were included in this study. All patients underwent clinical assessment, including intestinal manometry, Rome III criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders, and psychological and psychiatric evaluation. Patients with suspected gastroparesis underwent a scintigraphic gastric emptying test. Definitive diagnoses were made at discharge. Results Patients with higher levels of incongruence differed in various sociodemographic (age, educational level, work activity and having children) and psychopathological (all SCL-90-R subscales except anxiety and hostility) characteristics. Using general lineal models, incongruence was found to be the variable with stronger relations with psychopathology even when controlling for diagnosis. Interactions were found between incongruence and diagnosis reflecting a pattern in which patients with functional disorders whose subjective evaluation of functioning is not congruent with that of the clinician, have higher levels of psychopathology than patients with motor disorders. Conclusions Incongruence between clinician and self-reported functionality seems to be related to higher levels of psychopathology in patients with functional disorders. These findings underscore the need for routine psychosocial assessment among these patients. Gastroenterologists could use the concept of incongruence and its clinical implications, as a screening tool for psychopathology, facilitating consultation-liaison processes

An exploratory study comparing psychological profiles and its congruence with clinical performance among patients with functional or motility digestive disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders have been related with different psychological conditions. On the contrary, the role of psychological factors within gastrointestinal motor disorders remains unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the differences and congruence with clinical performance of the psychological profile and subjective functionality among patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders and gastrointestinal motor disorders. Using a double-blind design, 56 inpatients from a Gastroenterology Department were included in the study. No major differences were detected between the two groups. However, clinical performance was coherent with subjective physical functioning only among patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal motor disorders. These results may provide useful information for gastroenterologists dealing with patients' complaints not consistent with their clinical profile

Evaluation of abdominal gas by plain abdominal radiographs

Abdominal CT imaging; Abdominal distension; Intestinal gasTAC abdominal; Distensión abdominal; Gas intestinalTAC abdominal; Distensió abdominal; Gas intestinalBackground Our aim was to determine the reliability of plain abdominal radiographs for the evaluation of abdominal gas content in patients with functional digestive symptoms. Methods Abdominal CT scan scout views, mimicking a conventional plain abdominal radiograph, were obtained from 30 patients both during episodes of abdominal distension and basal conditions. Physicians (n = 50) were instructed to rate the estimated volume of gas in the 60 images presented in random sequence using a scale graded from 0 to ≥600 ml. Key Results The gas volumes estimated in the scout views differed from those measured by CT by a median of 90 (95% CI 70–102) ml, and the misestimation was not related to the absolute volume in the image. The accuracy of the observers, measured by their mean misestimation, was not related to their specialty or the training status (misestimation by 96 (95% CI 85–104) ml in staff vs 78 (70–106) ml in residents; p = 0.297). The accuracy was independent of the order of presentation of the images. Gas volume measured by CT in the images obtained during episodes of abdominal distension differed by a median of 39 (95% CI 29–66) ml from those during basal conditions, and this difference was misestimated by a median of 107 (95% CI 94–119) ml. The accuracy of these estimations was not related to the absolute gas volumes (R = −0.352; p < 0.001) or the magnitude of the differences. Conclusions & Inferences Plain abdominal radiographs have limited value for the evaluation of abdominal gas volume in patients with functional gut disorders.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, grant SAF 2016-76,648-R to F Azpiroz); Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Dan M. Livovsky received support from the Israeli Medical Association and from Israeli Gastroenterological Association 2020 fellowship grants

Clinical significance of small bowel manometry patterns suggestive of intestinal obstruction

Constipation; Intestinal manometry; Intestinal neuropathyRestrenyiment; Manometria intestinal; Neuropatia intestinalEstreñimiento; Manometría intestinal; Neuropatía intestinalIntroduction Minute rhythm and prolonged simultaneous contractions are patterns of postprandial small bowel contractile activity that historically have been considered as suggestive of mechanical intestinal obstruction; however, these patterns have been also encountered in patients with motility-like symptoms in the absence of bowel obstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the current diagnostic outcome of patients with these intestinal manometry patterns. Methods Retrospective study of patients with chronic digestive symptoms evaluated by intestinal manometry at our center between 2010 and 2018. Results The minute rhythm (MRP) or prolonged simultaneous contractions (PSC) postprandial patterns were detected in 61 of 488 patients (55 MRP and 6 PSC). Clinical work-up detected a previously non-diagnosed partial mechanical obstruction of the distal intestine in 10 (16%) and a systemic disorder causing intestinal neuropathy in 32 (53%). In the remaining 19 patients (31%, all with MRP), the origin of the contractile pattern was undetermined, but in 16, substantial fecal retention was detected within 7 days of the manometric procedure by abdominal imaging, and in 6 of them colonic cleansing completely normalized intestinal motility on a second manometry performed within 39 ± 30 days. Conclusion and Inference Currently, the most frequent origin of MRP and PSC encountered on small bowel manometry is intestinal neuropathy, while a previously undetected mechanical obstruction is rare. Still, in a substantial proportion of patients, no underlying disease can be identified, and in them, colonic fecal retention might play a role, because in a subgroup of these patients, manometry normalized after colonic cleansing. Hence, colonic preparation may be considered prior to intestinal manometry.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER/FSE) [PI17/01794]; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica) [SAF 2016-76648-R]; Ciberehd is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. LA was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00182)