Towards a Time Series Approach for the Classification and Evaluation of Collaborative Activities

The analysis and evaluation of computer-supported collaborative activities is a complex and tedious task. However, it is necessary in order to support collaborative scenarios, to scaffold the collaborative knowledge building and to evaluate the learning outcome. Various automated techniques have been proposed to minimize the workload of human evaluators and speed up the process. In this study, we propose a memory based learning model for the analysis, classification and evaluation of collaborative activities that makes use of time series techniques along with logfile analysis. We argue that the classification of collaborative sessions, with respect to their time series attributes, may be related to their qualitative aspects. Based on this rationale, we explore the use of the model under various settings. The results of the model are compared to assessments made by expert evaluators using a rating scheme. Correlation and error analyses are further conducted

Delving into instructor‐led feedback interventions informed by learning analytics in massive open online courses

Producción CientíficaBackground:Providing feedback in massive open online courses (MOOCs) is chal-lenging due to the massiveness and heterogeneity of learners' population. Learninganalytics (LA) solutions aim at scaling up feedback interventions and supportinginstructors in this endeavour.Paper Objectives:This paper focuses on instructor-led feedback mediated by LAtools in MOOCs. Our goal is to answer how, to what extent data-driven feedback isprovided to learners, and what its impact is.Methods:We conducted a systematic literature review on the state-of-the-art LA-informed instructor-led feedback in MOOCs. From a pool of 227 publications, weselected 38 articles that address the topic of LA-informed feedback in MOOCs medi-ated by instructors. We applied etic content analysis to the collected data.Results and Conclusions:The results revealed a lack of empirical studies exploring LA todeliver feedback, and limited attention on pedagogy to inform feedback practices. Our find-ings suggest the need for systematization and evaluation of feedback. Additionally, there isa need for conceptual tools to guide instructors' in the design of LA-based feedback.Takeaways:We point out the need for systematization and evaluation of feedback. Weenvision that this research can support the design of LA-based feedback, thus contribut-ing to bridge the gap between pedagogy and data-driven practice in MOOCs.Consejo de Investigación de Estonia (PSG286)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional y la Agencia Nacional de Investigación (grant PID2020-112584RB-C32) and (grant TIN2017-85179-C3-2-R)Junta de Castilla y León - Fondo Social Europeo y el Consejo Regional de Educación (grant E-47-2018-0108488

Predictors of Impaired Glucose Regulation in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Introduction. Many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have impaired glucose regulation or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated characteristics of NAFLD patients associated with hyperglycemia. Methods. During a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum glucose and insulin were measured in 152 NAFLD patients. Results. 48.7% of NAFLD patients had hyperglycemia. Age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.13), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.25), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98) proved to be independent predictors of hyperglycemia. After OGTT, 30 min insulin was lower in hyperglycemic patients (74.2 ± 49.7 versus 94.5 ± 53.9 μIU/mL, P = 0.02), while 90 min insulin (170.1 ± 84.6 versus 122.9 ± 97.7 μU/mL, P = 0.01) and 120 min insulin (164.0 ± 101.2 versus 85.3 ± 61.9 μIU/mL, P < 0.01) were higher. Conclusions. NAFLD patients with higher BMI, lower HDL-C, or older age were more likely to have impaired glucose metabolism. An OGTT could be of value for early diagnosis of DM among this population

Building Arguments Together or Alone? Using Learning Analytics to Study the Collaborative Construction of Argument Diagrams

Research has shown that the construction of visual representations may have a positive effect on cognitive skills, including argumentation. In this paper we present a study on learning argumentation through computer-supported argument diagramming. We specifically focus on whether students, when provided with an argument-diagramming tool, create better diagrams, are more motivated, and learn more when working with other students or on their own. We use learning analytics to evaluate a variety of student activities: pre and post questionnaires to explore motivational changes; the argument diagrams created by students to evaluate richness, complexity and completion; and pre and post knowledge tests to evaluate learning gains

Seismic Response of Hagia Sophia Church in Thessaloniki Including Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction

This study investigates the behavior of “Hagia Sophia” church in Thessaloniki under seismic loading. It is one of the greatest Byzantine churches in the city and it is inscribed on the World Heritage List. The main scope of this work is to estimate the seismic response of the historic structure accounting for the actual foundation and soil flexibility at its base, to find the locations in need for retrofit and finally, to propose possible intervention methods. We simulate numerically the soil - foundation -structure system, and for the properties of the building materials we estimate their strengths with the use of two codes; the EC6 and the Greek Regulation for the structural intervention of masonry (KADET). We simulate soil-foundation flexibility using impedance functions under the foundation according to NIST (2012) provisions. The influence of soil–foundationstructure interaction is investigated. As a reference case, we also consider a fixed-base model to compare the output of the two analyses and highlight the influence of the soil and masonry foundation flexibility on the dynamic response of the church. Finally, we further analyze the intervention method of micropiles as a possible method of enhancement for the foundation of the monumen

Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Social Media Data to Assess Perceptions of Route of Administration for Antiretroviral Treatment Among People Living With HIV

Background: HIV is a condition that requires lifelong treatment. Treatment options currently consist of oral antiretroviral therapies (ART) taken once or twice daily. Long-acting injectable HIV treatments are currently in development to be administered monthly or every other month. Preferences for route of administration could influence treatment adherence, which could affect treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine patient perceptions of oral and injectable routes of administration for ART. Methods: Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to examine 5122 online discussion threads by people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the POZ Community Forums from January 2013 to June 2018. Analysis focused on identifying perceptions of oral or injectable routes of administration for ART. Relevant threads were extracted and imported into the qualitative data analysis software package ATLAS.ti.8 so that text could be reviewed and coded. Results: Analyses identified 684 relevant discussion threads including 2626 coded quotations from online posts by 568 PLHIV. The oral route of administration was discussed more frequently than injectable (2516 quotations for oral; 110 injectable). Positive statements on the oral route of administration commonly mentioned the small number of pills (276 quotations), dose frequency (245), ease of scheduling (153), and ease of use (146). PLHIV also noted disadvantages of the oral route of administration including negative emotional impact (166), difficulty with medication access (106), scheduling (131), and treatment adherence (121). Among the smaller number of PLHIV discussing injectable ART, common positive comments focused on dose frequency (34), emotional benefits of not taking a daily pill (7), potential benefits for adherence (6), overall convenience (6), and benefits for traveling (6). Some comments from PLHIV perceived the frequency of injections negatively (10), and others had negative perceptions of needles (8) or appointments required to receive injections (7). Conclusions: Qualitative analysis revealed that route of administration was frequently discussed among PLHIV on this online forum. While many expressed positive views about their daily oral medication regimen, others perceived inconveniences and challenges. Among PLHIV who were aware of a possible monthly injectable treatment, many viewed this new route of administration as a convenient alternative with potential to improve adherence

Exploring Deviation in Inquiry Learning: Degrees of Freedom or Source of Problems?

The European Go-Lab project aims to promote Inquiry-based Learning (IBL) with online laboratories. To support teachers and students in this endeavor, the project provides an IBL model (a sequence of inquiry phases) as well as the technological infrastructure to implement it: the Graasp platform and the Golabz repository. Using these technologies, teachers create Inquiry Learning Spaces (ILSs) where they adapt the proposed IBL model to their needs, and enrich each one of its phases with online resources, apps or labs to build a web-based learning environment and distribute it to the students. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the deviations from the model proposed within the project on the teacher model and the way students adapt it. For that purpose, we analyzed the 102 most frequently used ILSs with respect to the perspectives of teachers and students. The results show deviations of the authored spaces from the pedagogical model of inquiry learning as well as deviations in the actual learning process models from the teachers’ specifications. Additionally, the analysis points out best practices for the learning design, particularly the inclusion of resources and apps into the spaces

Patient-Reported Outcomes Through 1 Year of an HIV-1 Clinical Trial Evaluating Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Administered Every 4 or 8 Weeks (ATLAS-2M)

BACKGROUND: Advances in HIV-1 therapeutics have led to the development of a range of daily oral treatment regimens, which share similar high efficacy rates. Consequently, more emphasis is being placed upon the individual\u27s experience of treatment and impact on quality of life. The first long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 (long-acting cabotegravir + rilpivirine [CAB + RPV LA]) may address challenges associated with oral treatment for HIV-1, such as stigma, pill burden/fatigue, drug-food interactions, and adherence. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected in an HIV-1 clinical trial (ATLAS-2M; NCT03299049) comparing participants\u27 experience with two dosing regimens (every 4 weeks [Q4W] vs. every 8 weeks [Q8W]) of CAB + RPV LA are presented herein. METHODS: PRO endpoints evaluated through 48 weeks of therapy included treatment satisfaction (HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire [HIVTSQ]), treatment acceptance ( General Acceptance domain of the Chronic Treatment Acceptance [ACCEPT RESULTS: Overall, 1045 participants were randomized to the Q8W (n = 522) and Q4W (n = 523) regimens; 37% (n = 391/1045) had previously received CAB + RPV in ATLAS. For participants without prior CAB + RPV exposure, large increases from baseline were reported in treatment satisfaction in both long-acting arms (HIVTSQ status version), with Q8W dosing statistically significantly favored at Weeks 24 (p = 0.036) and 48 (p = 0.004). Additionally, improvements from baseline were also observed in the General Acceptance domain of the ACCEPT questionnaire in both long-acting arms for participants without prior CAB + RPV exposure; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between arms at either timepoint (Week 24, p = 0.379; Week 48, p = 0.525). Significant improvements (p \u3c 0.001) in the Acceptance of Injection Site Reactions domain of the PIN questionnaire were observed from Week 8 to Weeks 24 and 48 in both arms for participants without prior CAB + RPV exposure. Participants with prior CAB + RPV exposure reported high treatment satisfaction (mean [HIVTSQ status version]: Q8W 62.2/66.0; Q4W 62.0/66.0), treatment acceptance (mean: Q8W 89.3/100; Q4W 91.2/100), and acceptance of injection site reactions (mean [5 = not at all acceptable; 1 = totally acceptable]: Q8W 1.72; Q4W 1.59) at baseline/Week 8 that were maintained over time. Participants without prior CAB + RPV exposure who received Q8W dosing preferred this regimen over oral CAB + RPV (98%, n = 300/306). Among those with prior Q4W exposure, 94% (n = 179/191) preferred Q8W dosing versus Q4W dosing (3%, n = 6/191) or oral CAB + RPV (2%, n = 4/191). CONCLUSIONS: Both long-acting regimens provided high treatment satisfaction and acceptance, irrespective of prior CAB + RPV exposure, with most participants preferring Q8W dosing over both the Q4W regimen and their previous daily oral regimen. The PRO data collected at Week 48 support the therapeutic potential of CAB + RPV LA. FUNDING: ViiV Healthcare and Janssen. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ATLAS-2M: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03299049, registered October 2, 2017

Patient-Reported Outcomes in ATLAS and FLAIR Participants on Long-Acting Regimens of Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Over 48 Weeks

The phase 3 ATLAS and FLAIR studies demonstrated that maintenance with Long-Acting (LA) intramuscular cabotegravir and rilpivirine is non-inferior in efficacy to current antiretroviral (CAR) oral therapy. Both studies utilized Patient-Reported Outcome instruments to measure treatment satisfaction (HIVTSQ) and acceptance (ACCEPT general domain), health status (SF-12), injection tolerability/acceptance (PIN), and treatment preference. In pooled analyses, LA-treated patients (n = 591) demonstrated greater mean improvements from baseline than the CAR group (n = 591) in treatment satisfaction (Week 44, + 3.9 vs. +0.5 HIVTSQs-points; p /= 97% of LA group participants with recorded data preferred LA treatment compared with prior oral therapy. These results further support the potential of a monthly injectable option for people living with HIV seeking an alternative to daily oral treatment