Predictor Variables Of Academic Success In Mathematics Under A Binary Logistic Regression Model

In recent years, many investigations have been carried out to identify the different factors that influence academic achievement in mathematics. Although the list is extensive and diverse, this paper focuses on determining whether the affective domain, mathematical processes and pedagogical practices influence academic achievement in mathematics. The research considers a quantitative approach at a cross-sectional descriptive level. The sample consisted of 2,450 students from a Colombian department from fourth to eleventh grade (ages 8 to 20 years). The instrument was composed of 90 items that evaluated the affective domain, mathematical processes, pedagogical practices and academic performance, with responses on a five-level Likert scale. The independent variables considered were affective domain, mathematical processes and pedagogical practices, and the dependent variable was academic performance. The adjustment obtained resulted in a binary logistic model, where the categories considered were pass or fail, which allowed 95% of those who passed to be correctly classified, although, at a global level, its effectiveness was close to l 87%. It should be noted that none of the aspects associated with teachers’ pedagogical competencies in their classroom work was significant in constructing the model.&nbsp

A longitudinal study of parental responsiveness from the musical dynamics of early triadic interactions

El presente trabajo explora los mediadores comunicativos presentes en las interacciones entre adulto-bebé-objeto durante el primer año de vida. Para ello, se analizaron las interacciones entre dos madres, sus respectivos bebés y una maraca a los 6, 9 y 12 meses de edad, prestando atención a las instancias de acción conjunta temprana, las dinámicas musicales de interacción y los indicadores de responsividad parental observados. Los resultados evidencian las diferencias individuales en los estilos de interacción entre ambas tríadas, así como las diversas formas de responsividad del adulto y cómo estas repercuten en las respuestas comunicativas de los niños, progresivamente más complejas. En base a ello, concluimos que la responsividad parental podría apoyar el desarrollo social y comunicativo, al ofrecer respuestas ajustadas en el curso de las primeras interaccionesO presente trabalho explora os mediadores comunicativos presentes nas interações entre adulto-bebê-objeto durante o primeiro ano de vida. Para isso, foram analisadas as interações entre duas mães, seus respectivos bebês e um maracá aos 6, 9 e 12 meses de idade, atentando-se para as instâncias de ação conjunta inicial, as dinâmicas musicais de interação e os indicadores de responsividade parental observados. Os resultados mostram as diferenças individuais nos estilos de interação entre as duas tríades, bem como as várias formas de responsividade do adulto e como estas afetam as respostas comunicativas progressivamente mais complexas das crianças. Com base nisso, concluímos que a responsividade parental poderia favorecer o desenvolvimento social e comunicativo, ao oferecer respostas adequadas no decorrer das primeiras interaçõesThe present work explores the communicative mediators involved in the interactions between adult-baby-object during the first year of life. To do this, we analyzed the interactions between two mothers, their respective babies and a maraca at 6, 9 and 12 months of age, paying attention to the instances of early joint action, the musical dynamics of the interaction and the indicators of parental responsiveness observed. Results evidenced the individual differences between the styles of interaction of both triads, as well as the various forms of adult responsiveness observed and how these affect the communicative responses of children, which were of increasing complexity. Based on this, we conclude that parental responsiveness could promote children’s social and communicative development, by offering adjusted responses within early interaction

Polymer Composites with Cork Particles Functionalized by Surface Polymerization for Fused Deposition Modeling

Cork powder received as a byproduct from local industries is valorized through the development of composite materials suitable for fused deposition modeling (FDM). For this purpose, a polymeric matrix of acrylonitrile-styrene-butyl acrylate (ASA) is used due to its good mechanical resistance and weather resistance properties. Prior to the manufacturing of the composites, the cork particles are characterized and modified by surface polymerization, creating a layer of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA). Then, filaments for FDM are prepared by solvent casting and extrusion from ASA and composites with unmodified cork (ASA + C) and PBA-modified cork (ASA + C-m). PBA is one of the polymers present in the structure of ASA, which increases the compatibility between the cork particles and the polymer matrix. This is evidenced by evaluating the mechanical properties of the composites and examining their fracture surface by scanning electron microscopy. The analysis of the thermal properties shows that the developed composites also present enhanced insulating properties.This work was funded by the ADICORK project through a collaboration agreement between Junta de Andalucia (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Develop-ment) and the University of Cadiz (research group INNANOMAT, ref . TEP-946) . This agreement has been funded by UE Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) . A.S.d.L. acknowledges the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for his Juan de la Cierva Incorporacion postdoctoral fellowship (IJC2019-041128-I) . N.F.-D. also acknowledges co-founding by European Social Fund and Ministry of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities of the Junta de Andalucia. The authors would like to thank Corchos del Estrecho for supplying the cork powder used in this research. SEM measurements were carried out at the DME-SC-ICyT-ELECMI-UCA

Implementation of training programs in self-regulated learning strategies in Moodle format: results of a experience in higher education

This paper tests the effi cacy of an intervention program in virtual format intended to train studying and self-regulation strategies in university students. The aim of this intervention is to promote a series of strategies which allow students to manage their learning processes in a more profi cient and autonomous way. The program has been developed in Moodle format and hosted by the Virtual Campus of the University of Oviedo. The present study had a semi-experimental design, included an experimental group (n=167) and a control one (n=206), and used pretest and posttest measures (selfregulated learning strategies’ declarative knowledge, self-regulated learning macro-strategy planningexecution- assessment, self-regulated learning strategies on text, surface and deep learning approaches, and academic achievement). Data suggest that the students enrolled in the training program, comparing with students in the control group, showed a signifi cant improvement in their declarative knowledge, general and on text use of learning strategies, increased their deep approach to learning, decreased their use of a surface approach and, in what concerns to academic achievement, statistically signifi cant differences have been found in favour of the experimental group.Implementación de programas de entrenamiento en estrategias de autorregulación del aprendizaje en formato Moodle: resultados de una experiencia en enseñanza superior. En este trabajo se contrasta la efi cacia de un programa de intervención en soporte virtual para el entrenamiento de estrategias de estudio y autorregulación en estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de la intervención es dotar a los alumnos de un conjunto de estrategias que les permitan abordar sus procesos de aprendizaje de una forma más competente y autónoma. El programa se implementó en formato Moodle a través del Campus Virtual de la Universidad de Oviedo. El diseño utilizado fue cuasi-experimental, con grupo experimental (n= 167) y grupo control (n= 206), y medidas pre y postest (conocimiento declarativo de estrategias de autorregulación del aprendizaje, uso de la macroestrategia de aprendizaje autorregulado planifi cación-ejecución-evaluación, uso de estrategias de aprendizaje autorregulado a través de textos, enfoques de aprendizaje superfi cial y profundo y rendimiento académico). Los datos obtenidos muestran que los alumnos que participan en el programa de entrenamiento, en relación a sus compañeros del grupo control, mejoran signifi cativamente en cuanto al dominio de conocimiento declarativo, uso general y a través de textos de las estrategias de aprendizaje, se incrementa el uso de un enfoque de estudio profundo, disminuye el uso de un enfoque superfi cial y se obtienen mejoras estadísticamente signifi cativas en el rendimiento académico

Factores de riesgo y resiliencia durante el aislamiento obligatorio de la pandemia de Covid-19: Una experiencia en docentes de Educación Superior

The present study aimed to examine whether certain risk factors (reduced income, job insecurity, anxiety, loss of confidence, among others) and resilience factors (family functioning, family and social support, trust, among others) are associated with mental health and well-being outcomes. A quantitative approach was adopted at a descriptive level. An online questionnaire, containing scales of well-being, risk factors and resilience, was administered to teachers from the Faculty of Education of a public university located in the north-eastern region of Colombia during the 2020 mandatory isolation period. The findings show that the crisis generated by COVID-19 includes stress factors, and impact on the social, labor, and economic level of teachers, which puts people at risk as their well-being was negatively affected. Their level of resilience is positive. Teachers experienced high levels of stress due to the high incidence of risk factors on their mental health. Nevertheless, their level of resilience is positive, but it is not enough to counteract the negative effects of this time of crisis due to the many life changes brought about by the isolation and social distancing generated by COVID-19. Teachers' mental health was affected during the confinement caused by COVID-19, as judged by risk and resilience factors. Their care needs to be promoted to counteract the effects of this situation.El presente estudio pretendió examinar si ciertos factores de riesgo (reducción de ingresos, inseguridad laboral, ansiedad, pérdida de confianza, entre otros) y factores de resiliencia (funcionamiento de la familia, apoyo familiar y social, confianza, entre otros) están asociados con los resultados de salud mental y bienestar. Se adoptó un enfoque cuantitativo a nivel descriptivo. Se aplicó un cuestionario en línea, que contenía escalas de bienestar, factores de riesgo y resiliencia, a los docentes de la Facultad de Educación de una universidad pública ubicada en la región nororiental de Colombia durante el periodo de aislamiento obligatorio del año 2020. Los hallazgos evidencian que la crisis generada por el COVID-19 abarca factores de estrés, e impacto a nivel social, laboral y económico de los docentes, lo que pone a las personas en riesgo ya que su bienestar se vio afectado negativamente. Su nivel de resiliencia es positivo. Los docentes experimentaron altos niveles de estrés por la alta incidencia de los factores de riesgo sobre su salud mental. A pesar de todo, su nivel de resiliencia es positivo, pero no es suficiente para contrarrestar los efectos negativos de este tiempo de crisis debido a los numerosos cambios de vida que planteó el aislamiento y distanciamiento social generado por el COVID-19. La salud mental de los docentes se vio afectada durante el confinamiento causado por la COVID-19, a juzgar por los factores de riesgo y resiliencia. Es necesario fomentar su cuidado para contrarrestar los efectos de esta situación

Rendimento acadêmico, enfoques de trabalho e implicação nos deveres de casa

El objetivo de este artículo de investigación fue analizar la relación entre enfoque de trabajo, implicación en los deberes escolares y rendimiento académico en matemáticas. Partici­paron 897 estudiantes de 5º y 6º curso de Educación Prima­ria (50,2% chicos y 49,8% chicas). Los resultados indican que a mayor rendimiento académico mayor enfoque profundo en la realización de los deberes escolares, mayor cantidad de deberes realizados y mejor aprovechamiento del tiempo. No obstante, el tiempo que los estudiantes dedican a realizar los deberes es mayor cuando el rendimiento es bajo o medio. Se discuten implicaciones educativas.The main objective of this article was to analyze the relationship between work approach, homework involvement and academic performance in mathematics. 897 students from 5th and 6th grades participated (50.2% boys and 49.8% girls). Results indicate that the higher the academic achievement, the greater the focus on doing a homework, the greater the number of homeworks done and the better use of time. However, the time students spend doing a homework is greater when their academic performance is low or medium. Educational implications are discussed

Metais pesados em solos de pastagem da A Pastoriza (NO Espanha) tratados com chorume de vaca e adubos NPK

In Galicia (NW Spain), pasturelands cover a broad extension and are mainly used to feed cattle. Farms are managed in an intensive manner, using cattle slurry and inorganic fertilizers to increase pasture production, but also increasing risks of heavy metal pollution. In this work we studied the influence of fertilization practices on total concentrations and in-depth distribution of heavy metals and related elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in two forest soils (SN1, SN2) and five pastureland soils (P1-P5) fertilized with cattle slurry and NPK, in a broadly exploded farmland area (A Pastoriza, Lugo). Soils SN2 and P4 were developed over slate, whereas soils SN1, P1, P2, P3 and P5 evolved on Candana quartzite. Forest soils presented acid pH (4.58-4.68), high Al saturation (75-90%), and low available P concentration (4.78-11.96 mg kg-1), whereas those parameters exhibited better scores in the pastureland soils, due to previous amendment and fertilization practices, thus giving pH 5.17-7.02, Al saturation 0.58-59.24%, and available P 5.24-42.07 mg kg-1. Regarding heavy metals, soil depth did not affect significantly to total concentrations, contrary to that happening with parent material, with higher As, Cu, Fe, and Ni concentrations found in soils over slate (possibly due to the presence of pyritic materials). In most cases, heavy metal total concentrations were lower than that considered as reference background levels for soils developed over each of the parent materials, and were always lower than that considered phyto-toxic. In this study, natural soils usually presented heavy metal total contents similar or even higher than that of the fertilized soils (unless Zn in the P4 pastureland), thus indicating that the spread doses of fertilizers did not influence significantly their concentration levels.En Galicia las praderas ocupan una gran extensión, siendo utilizadas principalmente para la alimentación del ganado vacuno destinado tanto a la producción de leche como de carne. Las granjas se manejan de manera intensiva, utilizando fertilizantes inorgánicos y purín de vacuno para aumentar la producción de pastos. Esta práctica puede aumentar el contenido de metales pesados en el suelo. En este trabajo se estudian las concentraciones totales y la distribución en profundidad de metales pesados y elementos afines (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb y Zn) en dos suelos forestales (SN1, SN2) y en cinco praderas (P1-P5) fertilizadas con purín de vacuno y NPK en una zona con una gran vocación ganadera (A Pastoriza, Lugo). Se pretende conocer el grado de influencia de la fertilización sobre los niveles de estos elementos. Los suelos elegidos se desarrollaron a partir de pizarras (SN2, P4) y de cuarcitas de la Serie de Cándana (SN1, P1, P2, P3, P5). Los suelos forestales presentaron pH ácido (4,58-4,68), elevada saturación del complejo de cambio por Al (75-90%) y baja concentración de P disponible (4,78-11,96 mg kg-1); estos parámetros mejoran en los suelos de pradera como consecuencia de las enmiendas y fertilizantes aplicados, presentando un pH entre 5,17 y 7,02, una saturación de Al que varía entre 0,58-59,24% y P disponible entre 5,24 y 42,07 mg kg-1. En relación con los metales pesados, la profundidad de la muestra no afecta de modo significativo a su concentración total, pero sí el material de partida, presentando concentraciones más elevadas de Fe, As, Cu y Ni los suelos desarrollados sobre pizarras, posiblemente debido a la presencia de materiales piríticos. En la mayoría de los casos, los metales pesados estudiados presentan concentraciones totales inferiores a las establecidas como genéricas para suelos desarrollados sobre los respectivos materiales geológicos, y siempre son menores que los límites considerados fitotóxicos. La fertilización aplicada no parece tener una influencia significativa sobre los contenidos totales de estos elementos, con la excepción del Zn en la pradera P4, ya que los suelos naturales en muchos casos presentan valores similares e incluso superiores a los obtenidos en las parcelas fertilizadas.As pastagens ocupam uma grande área na região da Galicia (NO Espanha) destnando-se sobretudo à alimentação de bovinos para produção de leite e carne. As explorações são geridas de forma intensiva, aplicando-se adubos minerais e chorumes com o objetivo de aumentar a produção de pastos. Contudo, esta prática pode aumentar o teor de metais pesados no solo. Neste trabalho, a concentração total e a distribuição em profundidade de metais pesados e elementos associados (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn) foram estudados em dois solos florestais (SN1, SN2) em cinco talhões (P1-P5) adubados com NPK e chorume de bovino, numa área com uma grande vocação para pecuária (A Pastoriza, Lugo). Teve-se por objetivo principal determinar o grau de influência da fertilização nos teores destes elementos. Os solos selecionados foram desenvolvidos a partir de ardósias (SN2, P4) e quartzitos da Série de Candana (SN1, P1, P2, P3, P5). Os solos florestais apresentavam pH ácido (4,58-4,68), alta saturação de Al (75-90%) no complexo de troca de e baixa concentração de P disponível (4,78-11,96 mg kg-1); estes parâmetros melhoram em solos de pastagem, como resultado da calagem e fertilizantes aplicados, apresentando um pH entre 5,17 e 7,02; saturação por Al variando de 0,58 a 59,24% e P disponível entre 5,24 e 42,07 mg kg-1. Em relação aos metais pesados, a profundidade da amostra não afetou significativamente a sua concentração total, contrariamente ao que se verificou com o material parental, que apresentou as concentrações mais elevadas de Fe, As, Cu e Ni nos solos desenvolvidos a partir de ardósias possivelmente devido à presença de materiais piríticos. Na maioria dos casos, os metais pesados estudados apresentaram concentrações totais inferiores aos valores geralmente considerados como referência para solos desenvolvidos a partir dos respetivos materiais parentais, sendo sempre inferiores aos valores limite considerados fitotóxicos. Neste estudo, os solos naturais apresentaram valores de metais pesados semelhantes ou mesmo superiores aos dos solos fertilizados (exceto para o Zn na pastagem P4), o que indica que as doses aplicadas de fertilizantes não influenciaram de forma significativa os seus níveis de concentração.This work was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grant Reference: CGL2012-36805-C02-01)S

A new scenario in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a SOG‑GU consensus

[Abstract] Background This article describes and compares approved targeted therapies and the newer immunotherapy agents. Materials and methods This article especially performs an in-depth review of currently available data for tivozanib, explaining its mechanism of action, its safety profle and its role as an efcacy drug in the management of renal cancer. Results Despite the fact that the treatment of advanced RCC has been dramatically modifed in recent years, durable remissions are scarce and it remains a lethal disease. For frst- and second-line therapy, there is now growing evidence to guide the selection of the appropriate treatment. Conclusions Several TKIs are standard of care at diferent settings. Among those approved TKIs, tivozanib has similar efcacy than others with a better safety profle. The use of prognostic factors is critical to the selection of optimal therapy

Targeting fatty acid-binding protein 4 improves pathologic features of aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a fibrocalcific disease of the aortic valves (AVs). Sex-differences in AS pathophysiology have recently been described. High levels of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FAPB4) in atherosclerotic plaques have been associated with increased local inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque vulnerability. FABP4 pharmacological blockade has been shown to be effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis by modulating metabolic and inflammatory pathways. We aimed to analyze the sex-specific expression of FABP4 in AS and its potential role as a therapeutic target. A total of 226 patients (61.5% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical AV replacement were recruited. The FABP4 levels were increased in the AVs of AS patients compared to the control subjects, showing greater expression in the fibrocalcific regions. Male AVs exhibited higher levels of FABP4 compared to females, correlating with markers of inflammation (IL-6, Rantes), apoptosis (Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2), and calcification (IL-8, BMP-2 and BMP-4). VICs derived from AS patients showed the basal expression of FABP4 in vitro. Osteogenic media induced upregulation of intracellular and secreted FABP4 levels in male VICs after 7 days, along with increased levels of inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and osteogenic markers. Treatment with BMS309403, a specific inhibitor of FABP4, prevented from all of these changes. Thus, we propose FABP4 as a new sex-specific pharmacological therapeutic target in AS.This research was funded by Miguel Servet contract CP13/00221 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [PI18/01875; PI21/00280]. M.G. is supported by a Miguel Servet Foundation PhD studentship, E.M.-N. is supported by a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (ULL-MS-P14), L.M. is supported by a PFIS (FI19/00302) PhD studentship, E.J. (CD19/00251) is supported by a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship