Automating the analysis of problem-solving activities in learning environments: the co-lab case study

The analysis of problem-solving activities carried out by students in learning settings involves studying the students' actions and assessing the solutions they have created. This analysis constitutes an ideal starting point to support an automatic intervention in the student activity by means of feedback or other means to help students build their own knowledge. In this paper, we present a model-driven framework to facilitate the automation of this problemsolving analysis and of providing feedback. This framework includes a set of authoring tools that enable software developers to specify the analysis process and its intervention mechanisms by means of visual languages. The models specified in this way are computed by the framework in order to create technological support to automate the problem-solving analysis. The use of the framework is illustrated thanks to a case study in the field of System Dynamics where problem-solving practices are analysed.The Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (España) has partially supported this research under Project TIN2011-29542-C02-02. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Ton de Jong, Wouter R. van Joolingen and Sylvia van Borkulo (University of Twente), for supporting this research. The work reported here was done during Rafael Duque’s stay at the Department of Instructional Technology of the University of Twente

Abdominal obesity in adolescents: Development of age-specific waist circumference cut-offs linked to adult IDF criteria

We provide age- and sex-specific cut-off points that can be used to identify abdominal obesity in adolescents. The present findings provide a tool that can be used in the clinical setting for the early detection and prevention of adult obesity. Population-specific cutoffs may be required for pediatric ages to diagnose children at risk. 1 | INTRODUCTION The prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity has increased substantially over the past decades in both developed and developing countries (Ng et al., 2014; de Onis, Blosser, & Borghi, 2010). The risk of overweight and obese youth becoming overweight adults is at least twice as high as their regular-weight peers (Singh, Mulder, Twisk, Van Mechelen, & Chinapaw, 2008). Body mass index (BMI) is a widely recognized surrogate of obesit

Perfil clínico dos doentes com urticária crónica no Hospital Militar Principal, Guiné-Bissau

Introduction: chronic urticaria is a heterogeneous demarcated skin disease characterized by the development of wheals or hives. Objective: determination of the clinical characteristics and the pharmacological treatment indicated in patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria. Method: a quantitative, prospective, observational and descriptive study was conducted in a total of 48 patients (the universe) diagnosed with chronic urticaria, Main Military Hospital, Guinea-Bissau, 2018-2020. The following variables were used: age, sex, type of urticaria, time of evolution, comorbidity and treatment used in the first and last recorded consultation, as well as disease activity. Results: the mean age was 38.52 years with a female predominance. The mean time of evolution of the disease was 4.67 years and 70.83 % did not present angioedema. Chronic spontaneous urticaria was the predominant type. cyproheptadine was the treatment most indicated to be used at baseline and at the end of treatment follow-up its use increased. montelukast was the other drug that increased its use at the end of follow-up. With the treatment used disease activity was reduced up to rates recognized as controlled chronic spontaneous urticaria.Conclusions: chronic urticaria in Guinea-Bissau has prevalence and clinical manifestations in line with those reported worldwide, with treatment regimens susceptible to modifications depending on the early use of recommended drugs such as cyclosporine or omalizumab.Introducción: la urticaria crónica es una enfermedad heterogénea delimitada de la piel caracterizada por el desarrollo de ronchas o habones. Objetivo: determinar las características clínicas y el tratamiento farmacológico indicado en pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica. Método: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, prospectivo, observacional y descriptivo en un universo de 48 pacientes con diagnóstico de urticaria crónica, Hospital Militar Principal, Guinea-Bisáu, 2018-2020. Se midieron las variables: edad, sexo, tipo de urticaria, tiempo de evolución, comorbilidad y tratamiento utilizado en la primera y última consulta registrada, así como la actividad de la enfermedad. Resultados: la edad media fue de 38,52 años con predomino del sexo femenino. El tiempo medio de evolución de la enfermedad fue de 4,67 años y el 70,83 % no presentó angioedema. La urticaria crónica espontánea fue el tipo predominante. La ciproheptadina fue el tratamiento más indicado al inicio del tratamiento y al término del seguimiento su uso se incrementó. El montelukast fue el otro medicamento que incremento su uso al término del seguimiento. La actividad de la enfermedad se redujo con el tratamiento a índices reconocidos como urticaria crónica espontánea controlada. Conclusiones: la urticaria crónica en Guinea-Bisáu tiene una prevalencia y manifestaciones clínicas acorde a lo reportado a nivel mundial con esquemas de tratamiento susceptibles de modificaciones según el inicio del uso de medicamentos recomendados como ciclosporina u omalizumab.Introdução: a urticária crônica é uma doença heterogênea delimitada da pele caracterizada pelo desenvolvimento de urticária ou urticária.Objetivo: determinar as características clínicas e o tratamento farmacológico indicado em pacientes com diagnóstico de urticária crônica. Método: estudo quantitativo, prospectivo, observacional e descritivo realizado em um universo de 48 pacientes com diagnóstico de urticária crônica, Hospital Militar Principal, Guiné-Bissau, 2018-2020. As variáveis foram mensuradas: idade, sexo, tipo de urticária, tempo de evolução, comorbidade e tratamento utilizado na primeira e última consulta registrada, bem como a atividade da doença. Resultados: a média de idade foi de 38,52 anos com predomínio do sexo feminino. O tempo médio de evolução da doença foi de 4,67 anos e 70,83% não apresentavam angioedema. A urticária crônica espontânea foi o tipo predominante. A ciproeptadina foi o tratamento mais indicado no início do tratamento e ao final do seguimento seu uso aumentou. O montelucaste foi a outra droga que aumentou seu uso ao final do seguimento. A atividade da doença foi reduzida com o tratamento para taxas reconhecidas como urticária crônica espontânea controlada. Conclusões: a urticária crônica na Guiné-Bissau tem prevalência e manifestações clínicas compatíveis com a relatada mundialmente, com esquemas de tratamento que podem ser modificados dependendo do início do uso de medicamentos recomendados como ciclosporina ou omalizumabe

Utilización de antimicrobianos en los hospitales públicos de Andalucía: 1995-1996

Objetivo. Describir el consumo de antiinfecciosos en los hospitales públicos de Andalucía durante los años 1995 y 1996. Establecer las diferencias cuali y cuantitativas en el consumo, cuando se expresa en DDD o DDPs. Método. Se estudió el consumo de antimicrobianos mediante el cálculo de las DDDs y DDPs/100 estancias-día, siguiendo básicamente la clasificación ATC. Se analizó la utilización para el conjunto de los hospitales y por tipo de hospital (regional, de especialidades y comarcal), valorándose los grupos terapéuticos y antimicrobianos más utilizados mediante una clasificación descendente en consumo. Resultados. En ambos años participaron 27 de 31 hospitales (87,1%). El consumo total en DDD/100 Est.-día fue de 73,67 y 75,17 y en DDPs/100 Est.-día fue de 64,61 y 65,39. El 80% de la utilización se concentra en penicilinas, cefalosporinas, quinolonas y aminoglucósidos. Destaca un 24% de aumento interanual en las quinolonas. Amoxicilinaclavulánico es el antibiótico con una mayor utilización en los dos años: 9,84 y 11,93 DDDs/100 Est.-día. La diferencia en el consumo global resultó ser un 12,6% más baja si se expresa en DDP.Objetive. To describe the consumption of anti-infectious agents in public hospitals of Andalucia, Spain, in 1995 and 1996. To establish qualitative and quantitative differences in consumption expressed as DDD and PDD. Method. Antimicrobial consumption was calculated by DDD and PDD/100 hospital days following the ATC classification. An analysis was made of drug use by the overall group of hospitals and by the type of hospital (regional, specialty, and local). Therapeutic groups and the most frequently used antimicrobial agents were analyzed by a descending classification of consumption. Results. In the two years of the study, 27 of 31 (87.1%) hospitals participated. Overall consumption by DDD/100 hospital days was 73.67 and 75.17 and by PDD/100 hospital days, 64.61 and 65.39. Eighty percent of the drugs used were penicillins, cephalosporins, quinolones and aminoglycosides. An interannual increase of 24% in quinolone use was noteworthy. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was the antibiotic most often used in both years: 9.84 and 11.93 DDD/100 hospital days. The difference in overall consumption was 12.0%, with a lower PDD

Plant species in Basque Country with positive bioactive principles for sleep rhythm

Las condiciones históricas, climatológicas y edáficas del País Vasco, son las principales causas de que su extensión se vea dominada por 3 formaciones vegetales potenciales: robledales, hayedos y quejigales. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar qué especies vegetales medicinales presentan evidencias científicas para tratar problemas de sueño. Para ello, se consultó bibliografía y bases de datos referentes a especies sedantes, hipnóticas o ansiolíticas por presentar mecanismos de actuación similares, así como sus principios activos. Se concluye el estudio con la catalogación de 22 especies vegetales del País Vasco como remedios naturales para combatir los problemas del sueño presentes en la sociedad.Historic, climatic and soil conditions of the Basque Country, are the main causes which provokes its extension is mainly dominated by 3 types of potential vegetation: oak, beech and gall. Our objective was focused in researching what plants show scientific evidences to be used within sleep problems. Scientific literature and databases were consulted in those species referenced as sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics due they act through similar mechanisms, their bioactive principles were revised too. We conclude this study with 22 plant species in Basque Country as natural sleep inducers to be used in sleep problems in our society.Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER: GR10003peerReviewe

High-fat diet and glucose and albumin circadian rhythms' chronodisruption in rats

La obesidad es una de las enfermedades nutricionales más extendidas en las sociedades desarrolladas y se considera un factor de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar cómo una dieta alta en grasas puede influir en la cronobiología de los ritmos circadianos de glucosa y albúmina. Ochenta y cuatro ratas Wistar macho comunes se separaron en dos grupos: un grupo de control (n = 42) y un grupo alimentado con una dieta rica en grasas (n = 42); tanto para el grupo control como para el grupo inducido por la obesidad establecimos 7 subgrupos (6 ratas por subgrupo) para tomar muestras de sangre a las 0000, 0200, 0400, 1000, 1400, 1800 y 2200 horas. Los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa y albúmina se analizaron en muestras de sangre y sus ritmos circadianos se evaluaron mediante la prueba Cosinor. Nuestros resultados mostraron síntomas claros de cronodisrupción en las oscilaciones de glucosa y albúmina, aunque estos trastornos circadianos fueron más evidentes en los ritmos de glucosa.Obesity is one of the most widespread nutritional diseases in developed societies and it is considered a cardiovascular disease risk factor. The aim of the present work was to evaluate how a high-fat diet may influence the chronobiology of glucose and albumin circadian rhythms. Eighty-four male common Wistar rats were separated into two groups: a control group (n = 42) and a group fed a high-fat diet (n = 42); both for the control and the obesity-induced group we stablished 7 subgroups (6 rats per subgroup) to take blood samples at 0000, 0200, 0400, 1000, 1400, 1800, and 2200 hours. Glucose and albumin plasma levels were analyzed in blood samples and their circadian rhythms were evaluated through the cosinor method. Our results showed clear chronodisruption symptoms in both glucose and albumin oscillations, although these circadian disorders were more evident in glucose rhythms.• Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayuda GR15051peerReviewe

Classification of illicit drug-induced deaths in Spain: toward the adoption of the European standard criteria.

[ES] Objetivos: Describir los patrones de codificación CIE-10 de las muertes directamente relacionadas con drogas ilegales (DRDI) en el Registro General de Mortalidad (RGM), evaluar la aplicabilidad del criterio europeo (que no considera X44) para extraer estas muertes del RGM y estimar la mortalidad DRDI en España corrigiendo la subestimación. Métodos: Se extrajeron las muertes DRDI del RGM para 1999–2007 utilizando los criterios europeo y español, se compararon ambas cifras y se evaluaron las diferencias temporoespaciales en los patrones de codificación. Se estimó la mortalidad DRDI estatal aplicando un índice corrector de subestimación, procedente de un registro específico, a las muertes extraídas del RGM. Resultados: Utilizando el criterio español en 1999–2007 se extrajeron del RGM 5.878 muertes DRDI, un 88,4% del capítulo XX, principalmente de X42 (48,4%) y X44 (38,8%), y el resto del capítulo V, principalmente de F19 (11,5%). El capítulo V supuso un 6,6% en 1999, un 24,6% en 2003 y un 8,0% en 2007. En 2005–2007 las comunidades que más utilizaron el capítulo V fueron Cataluña y Andalucía (34,9% y 30,1%, respectivamente). Con el criterio europeo se extraen bastantes menos muertes DRDI que con el español. La mortalidad DRDI corregida por subnotificación utilizando el criterio español pasó de 4,7/100.000 habitantes de 15–49 años de edad en 1999 a 4,1/100.000 en 2007. Conclusiones: En España, aplicar el criterio europeo para extraer las muertes DRDI da problemas, porque a cada muerte DRDI se le asigna un único código, que además en ocasiones es bastante inespecífico. Hay que adoptar criterios estatales comunes de codificación en línea con los europeos. [EN] To describe patterns of ICD-10 classification of illicit drug-induced deaths (DID) in the General Mortality Register (GMR), to assess the applicability of the European criterion (which excludes the X44 code) to extract these deaths from the GMR, and to estimate drug-induced mortality in Spain by applying a correction index for underestimation. DID between 1999 and 2007 were extracted from the GMR using the European and the Spanish criteria. Both data sets were compared, and differences in classification patterns by time and space were assessed. Estimations of national mortality from DID were calculated by applying a correction index for underestimation, derived from a specific mortality register, to the deaths extracted from the GMR. Using the Spanish criterion, 5,878 DID were extracted from the GMR for 1999-2007, 88.4% within chapter XX, mainly X42 (48.4%) and X44 (38.8%), and the remaining within chapter V, mainly F19 (11.5%). Chapter V accounted for 6.6% in 1999, 24.6% in 2003 and 8.0% in 2007. Between 2005 and 2007, Catalonia and Andalusia were the autonomous regions showing greatest use of this chapter (34.9% and 30.1%, respectively). Substantially fewer deaths were extracted when the European criterion was used. When the Spanish indicator was used, the estimated DID mortality rate corrected by the underestimation index decreased slowly from 4.7/100,000 in 1999 to 4.1/100,000 inhabitants aged 15-49 years old in 2007. In Spain, applying the European criterion for extracting DID from the GMR created certain problems, because each DID is assigned a single code, which is sometimes non-specific. Common national criteria should be adopted, following the European criteria as far as possible.Proyecto FIS (PI070661) y RTA (RD06/0001/1018).S

Effects of Covid-19 on the Online Library and Information Science Degree at the University of León (Spain)

.The Degree in Library Science and Documentation of the University of León started during the 1990–1991 academic year. This first curriculum suffered from a strong presence of subjects from the humanities, with a low fraction of experimental work in many subjects because of its inclusion within the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. The first years attracted large numbers of students. However, the subsequent decrease in the number of students pursuing the degree drove us to initiate a change toward blended and online modalities. The Librarianship and Documentation Area of the University of León (ULe) already has a long history in blended teaching, starting with the Degree in Librarianship and Documentation, which has used the platform aul@unileon since the 2006–2007 academic year; the Degree of Information and Documentation has used the blended modality since the 2010–2011 academic year, and it has been offered in the distance learning modality since the 2014–2015 academic year. These new technologies have been fully introduced into university education and have facilitated the teaching–learning process through the use of interactive programs via the Internet. The main objective of this column is to determine and study the kind of multimedia tools used by professors of the Bachelor of Information and Documentation at the University of León during the teaching–learning process and in virtual teaching before the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to report which new tools were introduced by the university for this reason. We study the student–teacher and student–student interactions to help promote communication and participatory learning through chats, forums, email, hangouts, Skype, Meet, videoconferences, etc. To carry out this study, two types of methodology were applied: satisfaction surveys implemented by the Quality Office of the ULe to determine the degree of satisfaction of students and teachers, and a study of annual reportsS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype (MCC-Spain)

Epidemiologic evidence on the association between vitamin D and breast cancer is still inconclusive. This study analyzes the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtype, stage at diagnosis and specific breast cancer risk factors. We conducted a population-based multicase-control study where 546 histologically-confirmed breast cancer cases and 558 population controls, frequently matched by geographic area, age and body mass index, were recruited in 12 Spanish provinces (MCC-Spain). Information was collected by a questionnaire and plasma 25(OH)D was measured by solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic and multinomial mixed regression models. We found a clear protective effect between 25(OH)D levels and breast cancer risk, with a significant dose-response trend (OR per 10?nmol/L?=?0.88; 95%CI?=?0.82-0.94). While no differences were observed between pre and postmenopausal women, stage at diagnosis, or across strata of the main breast cancer risk factors, the protection was more pronounced for triple negative tumors (OR per 10?nmol/L?=?0.64; p-heterogeneity?=?0.038). Similar results were observed when only cases sampled in the first month after diagnosis were considered. The protective effect of vitamin D on breast cancer risk may be subtype specific, being stronger for more aggressive tumors, which provides a new approach to prevent this disease.The study was funded by Carlos III Institute of Health grants (PI12/00488, PI12/00265, PI12/00715, PI12/01270, PI09/00773 and PI08/1770), by the Spanish Ministry of Health (EC11-273), by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (IJCI-2014-20900) and by Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI-0571-2009) competitive calls including peer review for scientific quality. Additional funding was provided by the Spanish Federation of Breast Cancer Patients (FECMA: EPY 1169-10), the Association of Women with Breast Cancer from Elche (AMACMEC: EPY 1394/15), the Marqués de Valdecilla foundation (grant API 10/09), and by Acción Transversal del Cancer, approved by the Spanish Ministry Council on October 11, 2007. None of the funders played any role in conducting research or writing the paper. This article presents independent research. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Carlos III Institute of Health

AVALIAÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA DE ACESSOS DE MANDIOCA DA REGIÃO NORTE DO ESTADO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO

Com o objetivo de avaliar características morfológicas de acessos de mandioca instalou-se um experimento no município de Sooretama, Estado do Espírito Santo. O experimento foi instalado no mês de Maio de 2016, sendo coletados os dados aos 30, 45 e 60 dias após a brotação (DAB). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados (DBC), três repetições, com avaliação de 30 acessos de mandioca. As variáveis avaliadas foram: altura de plantas, diâmetro do caule e número de folhas. Houve interação significativa entre os acessos e o tempo de avaliação. O acesso 48 apresentou os maiores valores aos 60 DAB em todas as variáveis analisadas em relação aos demais acessos, que, em contraste, os acessos 62 e 71 obtiveram os menores valores