Teachers’ professional standards and Indigenous Education in Australia and Chile

This paper explores the strengths and limitations of mandatory professional standards for teachers in Australia and Chile, two countries containing colonized societies. First, the paper compares the reality of the countries with a focus on the structure and principles of mandatory professional standards for the professional development of teachers. In Australia, professional standards for teachers includes strategies to teach in Indigenous contexts, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their traditional culture. However, in Chile, the Indigenous education debate is limited. Second, the paper discusses the strengths of approaches used to frame standards within the professional development of teachers. Strengths consider how teacher’s expectations are impacted by an improvement in their knowledge of Indigenous. Finally, the paper explores the limitations of the mandatory standards in both. These reveal how diversity encountered among Indigenous cultures in Chile and Australia proves challenging when preparing teachers to perform in a particular Indigenous context. In Chile, teachers need specialized training to develop the necessary skills to work in Indigenous contexts. However, the Chilean standards of teacher professional development present limited guidelines for teaching in these contexts, which impact local language retention and culture. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous Education and inclusion in national policies is crucial. The new challenge for Chilean universities is to improve their teacher education programs for success in Indigenous Education

Camino hacia la diferenciación de la producción de kiwi del Sudeste Bonaerense: calidad del fruto a nivel mayorista

En Argentina se importan alrededor de 12.000 t.año-1 de kiwi para abastecer la demanda interna. El 60-70% de los frutos proviene de Chile. El sudeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (SEB) concentra la mayor parte de la producción de kiwi nacional. La zona presenta características edafoclimáticas adecuadas para lograr altas producciones y frutos de excelente calidad. Esto es acompañado de protocolos de cosecha desarrollados especialmente para la región. Desde junio a noviembre, el kiwi del SEB compite en el mercado con frutos chilenos, los que reciben un sobreprecio del 20% respecto al local, considerando un mismo tipo de envase y calibre. No existe información clara de la forma en que incide la procedencia del fruto en la percepción de calidad que tienen los agentes del mercado mayorista. Tanto los kiwis importados como los regionales cumplen los están- dares nacionales establecidos para su comercialización, pero hay evidencia que sugiere que la característica de sabor es superior en los productos de la región, atributo que el mercado mayorista pareciera no valorar suficientemente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue generar datos en relación a la calidad del kiwi importado y regional. De acuerdo a la disponibilidad en el mercado mayorista de Mar del Plata, se tomaron muestras de 11 productores del SEB (KiwiSEB) y de 2 exportadores chilenos (KiwiImportado) en septiembre/2020 (T1) y de 8 productores del SEB y de 2 exportadores chilenos, en octubre/2020 (T2). De cada muestra se seleccio- naron al azar 3 repeticiones de 15 frutos. Se evaluó la firmeza de la pulpa (penetrómetro EFFEGI), contenido de sólidos solubles totales (SST, refractometría), y acidez titulable (AT, volumetría ácido-base). En T1 y T2, la mayoría de las muestras de KiwiSEB así como de KiwiImportado se encontraron dentro del rango aceptable de madurez comercial (Firmeza: 0,6-1,2 kgf). Tanto en T1 como en T2, las muestras de KiwiSEB presentaron valores adecuados de AT y SST, asociados a un buen balance entre dulzor y acidez y a un buen sabor. Esto está relacionado con el alto contenido de materia seca que acumulan los frutos del SEB a la cosecha. En algunas muestras de KiwiImportado, sin embargo, se determinó un bajo contenido de SST y sobre todo de AT, asociado a un fruto de poco sabor. La consistencia en los resultados respecto a la elevada calidad organoléptica del kiwi del SEB, en ambos tiempos de evaluación, permite continuar en camino hacia algún tipo de diferenciación del producto en el mercado, su valorización y la difusión de estas características propias en los diferentes canales de comercialización y en los consumidores.Fil: Baeza, María Cecilia. Unidad Integrada Balcarce. FCA-UNMDP; Argentina.Fil: David, María Angela. Unidad Integrada Balcarce. FCA-UNMDP; Argentina.Fil: Fasciglione, Gabriela. Unidad Integrada Balcarce. FCA-UNMDP; Argentina.Fil: Berges, Miriam. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Lupín, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; Argentina.Fil: Yommi, Alejandra. Unidad Integrada Balcarce. FCA-UNMDP; Argentina

Relationship between nutritional status and length of hospital stay among patients with atrial fibrillation – a result of the nutritional status heart study

BackgroundNutritional status is related to the prognosis and length of hospital stay (LOHS) of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to assess how nutritional status affects LOHS for patients with AF.MethodsWe performed retrospective analysis of the medical records of 1,813 patients admitted urgently with a diagnosis of AF to the Institute of Heart Diseases of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland.ResultsIn total, 1,813 patients were included in the analysis. The average LOHS in the entire group was 3.53 ± 3.41 days. The mean BMI was 28.7 kg/m2 (SD: 5.02). Patients who were hospitalized longer were statistically more likely to have a Nutritional Risk Score (NRS) ≥3 (p = 0.028). A higher percentage of longer hospitalized patients with LDL levels below 70 mg/dl (p < 0.001) and those with HDL ≥40 mg/dl (p < 0.001) were observed. Study participants with NRS ≥3 were an older group (M = 76.3 years), with longer mean LOHS (M = 4.44 days). The predictors of LOHS in the univariate model were age (OR = 1.04), LDL (OR = 0.99), HDL (OR = 0.98), TC (OR = 0.996), CRP (OR = 1, 02, p < 0.001), lymphocytes (OR = 0.97, p = 0.008) and in the multivariate model were age, LDL (mg/dl), HDL (mg/dl), Na, and K.ConclusionFor nutritional status, factors indicating the risk of prolonged hospitalization in patients with AF are malnutrition, lower serum LDL, HDL, potassium, and sodium levels identified at the time of admission to the cardiology department. Assessment of nutritional status in patients with AF is important both in the context of evaluating obesity and malnutrition status, as both conditions can alter the prognosis of patients. Further studies are needed to determine the exact impact of the above on the risk of prolonged hospitalization

Prodromal symptoms and the duration of untreated psychosis in first episode of psychosis patients: what differences are there between early vs. adult onset and between schizophrenia vs. bipolar disorder?

To assess the role of age (early onset psychosis-EOP < 18 years vs. adult onset psychosis-AOP) and diagnosis (schizophrenia spectrum disorders-SSD vs. bipolar disorders-BD) on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and prodromal symptoms in a sample of patients with a first episode of psychosis. 331 patients with a first episode of psychosis (7–35 years old) were recruited and 174 (52.6%) diagnosed with SSD or BD at one-year follow-up through a multicenter longitudinal study. The Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia (SOS) inventory, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the structured clinical interviews for DSM-IV diagnoses were administered. Generalized linear models compared the main effects and group interaction. 273 AOP (25.2 ± 5.1 years; 66.5% male) and 58 EOP patients (15.5 ± 1.8 years; 70.7% male) were included. EOP patients had significantly more prodromal symptoms with a higher frequency of trouble with thinking, avolition and hallucinations than AOP patients, and significantly different median DUP (91 [33–177] vs. 58 [21–140] days; Z = − 2.006, p = 0.045). This was also significantly longer in SSD vs. BD patients (90 [31–155] vs. 30 [7–66] days; Z = − 2.916, p = 0.004) who, moreover had different profiles of prodromal symptoms. When assessing the interaction between age at onset (EOP/AOP) and type of diagnosis (SSD/BD), avolition was significantly higher (Wald statistic = 3.945; p = 0.047), in AOP patients with SSD compared to AOP BD patients (p = 0.004). Awareness of differences in length of DUP and prodromal symptoms in EOP vs. AOP and SSD vs. BD patients could help improve the early detection of psychosis among minors

Confirmation of the Cardioprotective Effect of MitoGamide in the Diabetic Heart

Abstract: Purpose: HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) is a major consequence of diabetic cardiomyopathy with no effective treatments. Here, we have characterized Akita mice as a preclinical model of HFpEF and used it to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of the mitochondria-targeted dicarbonyl scavenger, MitoGamide. Methods and Results: A longitudinal echocardiographic analysis confirmed that Akita mice develop diastolic dysfunction with reduced E peak velocity, E/A ratio and extended isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), while the systolic function remains comparable with wild-type mice. The myocardium of Akita mice had a decreased ATP/ADP ratio, elevated mitochondrial oxidative stress and increased organelle density, compared with that of wild-type mice. MitoGamide, a mitochondria-targeted 1,2-dicarbonyl scavenger, exhibited good stability in vivo, uptake into cells and mitochondria and reactivity with dicarbonyls. Treatment of Akita mice with MitoGamide for 12 weeks significantly improved the E/A ratio compared with the vehicle-treated group. Conclusion: Our work confirms that the Akita mouse model of diabetes replicates key clinical features of diabetic HFpEF, including cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, in this independent study, MitoGamide treatment improved diastolic function in Akita mice

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Teachers’ professional standards and Indigenous Education in Australia and Chile

This paper explores the strengths and limitations of mandatory professional standards for teachers in Australia and Chile, two countries containing colonized societies. First, the paper compares the reality of the countries with a focus on the structure and principles of mandatory professional standards for the professional development of teachers. In Australia, professional standards for teachers includes strategies to teach in Indigenous contexts, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their traditional culture. However, in Chile, the Indigenous education debate is limited. Second, the paper discusses the strengths of approaches used to frame standards within the professional development of teachers. Strengths consider how teacher’s expectations are impacted by an improvement in their knowledge of Indigenous. Finally, the paper explores the limitations of the mandatory standards in both. These reveal how diversity encountered among Indigenous cultures in Chile and Australia proves challenging when preparing teachers to perform in a particular Indigenous context. In Chile, teachers need specialized training to develop the necessary skills to work in Indigenous contexts. However, the Chilean standards of teacher professional development present limited guidelines for teaching in these contexts, which impact local language retention and culture. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous Education and inclusion in national policies is crucial. The new challenge for Chilean universities is to improve their teacher education programs for success in Indigenous Education.<br/

Exploring the lived experience of one Rural Teacher in Indigenous context in Chilean Northern Territory: A narrative inquiry

The high rates of teachers’ attrition in Chile, particularly in Indigenous schools, requires an understanding of how the experiences of teachers working in these contexts impact on their professional practice. Through the teachers’ lens, using a narrative inquiry design, this study seeks to understand how educators face the challenges of teaching in rural and Indigenous settings. Findings of this study show Chilean teachers’ lack of knowledge about Indigenous culture and tradition. Teachers do not know about Indigenous students' characteristics and this is affecting teaching. Also was found that some elements are causing teachers’ exhaustion in rural and Indigenous context. These are teachers’ wrongs expectations about rural lifeways, extreme living conditions, emotional and geographic isolation and the lack of professional recognition. The finding of this study may contribute to future research and education stakeholders and universities that are in the process of finding improvements to teaching practices and teachers’ education programs

Implicancia de la elaboración de mapas conceptuales en el aprendizaje de la matemática

This article explores how the utilization of Concept Maps improve students learning in Maths. Findings revealed that elaborating concept maps contribute to self-learning because they allow learners to develop organization skills and reflect in a superior level of abstraction