How to implement inquiry-based learning through the use of serious games in the IB economics program?

Since the Industrial Revolution the way of production and consumption changed dramatically leading to what is known as the Linear Economy. The consequences of this way of production and consumption are inducing multiple corporations and non-governmental organizations, such as the UNESCO and the COP27, to promote actions to address the multiple planetary challenges. One of its initiatives is inviting the educational sector to be part of a sustainable agenda, since schools are the outstanding arena to promote a sustainable mindset and contribute to a more profound social change. The present study develops an educational Unit Planner based on the Inquiry-based teaching and learning approach, in which the game-based learning methodology is implemented by using the ecoCEO game. This serious game allows to teach about the benefits, the complexity, and the importance of Circular Economy in today’s world. The didactic proposal that has been developed collects both the values provided by the Circular Economy approach and the profile of the International Baccalaureate (IB) community. The work has been framed within the subject of Economics of the Diploma Program, under the following inquiry question: How a country’s economy could thrive without depending on the overuse of finite resources and still meet people’s needs? The Unit Planner aims to offer a didactic tool to teachers and enhance the subject curriculum in relation with sustainability, in order to improve the student learning.A partir de la Revolución Industrial la forma de producción y consumo cambió radicalmente dando lugar a lo que se conoce como Economía Lineal. Las consecuencias de esta forma de producción y consumo están induciendo a múltiples corporaciones y organizaciones no gubernamentales, como la UNESCO y la COP27, a impulsar acciones para enfrentar los múltiples desafíos planetarios. Una de sus iniciativas es invitar al sector educativo a formar parte de una agenda sostenible, ya que las escuelas son un escenario oportuno que permite promover una mentalidad sostenible y de esta manera contribuir a un cambio social más profundo. El presente estudio desarrolla una Unidad Didáctica fundado en el enfoque de enseñanza y aprendizaje basado en la Indagación, en el cual se implementa la metodología de aprendizaje basado en juegos, el juego propuesto es ecoCEO. Este juego educativo permite enseñar sobre los beneficios, la complejidad y la importancia de la Economía Circular en el mundo actual. La propuesta didáctica que se ha desarrollado recoge tanto los valores que aporta el enfoque de Economía Circular como el perfil de la comunidad del Bachillerato Internacional (IB). El trabajo se ha enmarcado dentro de la asignatura de Economía del Programa del Diploma, bajo la siguiente pregunta de indagación: ¿Cómo podría prosperar la economía de un país sin depender del uso excesivo de recursos finitos y aun así satisfacer las necesidades de las personas? La Unidad Didáctica tiene como objetivo ofrecer una herramienta pedagógica a los docentes y aportar con un nuevo instrumento que enriquezca el currículo de la asignatura en relación con la sustentabilidad, con el fin de mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes

HDL: A molecular view of the "classic" antiatherogenic lipoprotein

L'estudi del metabolisme de les HDL (lipoproteïnes de densitat alta) i la seva relació amb l'arteriosclerosi és un tema complex, en el qual, recentment, s'han fet avenços importants. Primer, s'ha demostrat que les HDL tenen una acció antiaterogènica. Segon, s'ha establert que aquesta acció és deguda a fraccions que tenen apoA-I però no apoA-II. Tercer, s'han definit alguns mecanismes clau en l'acció antiaterogènica de les HDL: transport invers de colesterol i prevenció de la modificació oxidativa de les LDL (lipoproteïnes de densitat baixa). És previsible que aquests avenços permetran el desenvolupament d'estratègies efectives, que complementaran les existents per al tractament i la prevenció de les malalties cardiovasculars aterotrombòtiques.HDL metabolism and its relationship to atherosclerosis is a complex topic, though notable advances have been made. First, HDL clearly has an anti-atherogenic action. Second, this action is due to some fraction/s containing apoA-I but not apoA-II. Third, some of the molecular mechanisms involved in two key anti-atherogenic functions of HDL have been defined: reverse cholesterol transport and prevention of LDL oxidative modification. These advances may permit the development of effective strategies, complementing those already available, for treating and preventing atherothrombotic cardiovascular diseases

Polycystic Kidney Disease with Renal failure Presenting as Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia in the ED

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease may present to the emergency department (ED) with vomiting, abdominal pain or hernias, renal insufficiency or failure, or bleeding from cerebral aneurysms. A 37-year-old man presented to the ED with signs and symptoms of incarcerated inguinal hernia. Laboratory studies showed renal failure with anion gap acidosis, and bedside ultrasound showed multicystic kidneys. Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis. Emergency physicians should be aware of this common connective tissue defect and its serious associated conditions

Porphyrin Binding to Gun4 Protein, Facilitated by a Flexible Loop, Controls Metabolite Flow through the Chlorophyll Biosynthetic Pathway.

In oxygenic phototrophs, chlorophylls, hemes, and bilins are synthesized by a common branched pathway. Given the phototoxic nature of tetrapyrroles, this pathway must be tightly regulated, and an important regulatory role is attributed to magnesium chelatase enzyme at the branching between the heme and chlorophyll pathway. Gun4 is a porphyrin-binding protein known to stimulate in vitro the magnesium chelatase activity, but how the Gun4-porphyrin complex acts in the cell was unknown. To address this issue, we first performed simulations to determine the porphyrin-docking mechanism to the cyanobacterial Gun4 structure. After correcting crystallographic loop contacts, we determined the binding site for magnesium protoporphyrin IX. Molecular modeling revealed that the orientation of α6/α7 loop is critical for the binding, and the magnesium ion held within the porphyrin is coordinated by Asn-211 residue. We also identified the basis for stronger binding in the Gun4-1 variant and for weaker binding in the W192A mutant. The W192A-Gun4 was further characterized in magnesium chelatase assay showing that tight porphyrin binding in Gun4 facilitates its interaction with the magnesium chelatase ChlH subunit. Finally, we introduced the W192A mutation into cells and show that the Gun4-porphyrin complex is important for the accumulation of ChlH and for channeling metabolites into the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway

Virtual reality and physiotherapy in post-stroke functional re-education of the lower extremity: A controlled clinical trial on a new approach

Numerous Virtual Reality (VR) systems address post-stroke functional recovery of the lower extremity (LE), most of them with low early applicability due to the gait autonomy they require. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a specific VR treatment and its clinical effect on LE functionality, gait, balance, and trunk control post-stroke. A controlled, prospective, clinical trial was carried out with 20 stroke patients, who were divided into two groups: the first group (VR + CP; n = 10) received combined therapy of 1 h VR and 1 h of conventional physiotherapy (CP) and the second group (CP; n = 10) received 2 h of CP (5 days/week, for 3 weeks). The following pre-post-intervention measuring scales were used: Functional Ambulatory Scale (FAC), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Trunk Control Test (TCT). Only VR + CP showed a significant improvement in FAC. In FIM, CP presented a tendency to significance, whereas VR + CP showed significance. Both groups improved significantly in FM (especially in amplitude/pain in VR + CP and in sensitivity in CP) and in BBS. In TCT, there was a non-significant improvement in both groups. The results indicate that the intervention with VR is a feasible treatment in the post-stroke functional re-education of the LE, with the potential to be an optimal complement of CP

The pressure-volume-temperature relationship of cellulose

Pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) mea- surements of a-cellulose with different water contents, were performed at temperatures from 25 to 180 °C and pressures from 19.6 to 196 MPa. PVT measurements allowed observation of the combined effects of pressure and temperature on the specific volume during cellulose thermo-compression. All isobars showed a decrease in cellulose specific volume with temperature. This densification is associated with a transition process of the cellulose, occurring at a temperature defined by the inflection point Tt of the isobar curve. Tt decreases from 110 to 40 °C with pressure and is lower as moisture content increases. For isobars obtained at high pressures and high moisture contents, after attaining a minimum, an increase in volume is observed with temperature that may be related to free water evaporation. PVT a-cellulose experimental data was compared with predicted values from a regression analysis of the Tait equations of state, usually applied to synthetic polymers. Good correla- tions were observed at low temperatures and low pressures. The densification observed from the PVT experimental data, at a temperature that decreases with pressure, could result from a sintering phenomenon, but more research is needed to actually understand the cohesion mechanism under these conditions

The epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth infections in children up to 8 years of age: Findings from an Ecuadorian birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: There are few prospective longitudinal studies of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections during early childhood. We studied the epidemiology of and risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infections from birth to 8 years of age in tropical Ecuador. METHODS: 2,404 newborns were followed to 8 years of age with periodic stool sample collections. Stool samples were collected also from household members at the time of the child's birth and examined by microscopy. Data on social, environmental, and demographic characteristics were collected by maternal questionnaire. Associations between potential risk factors and STH infections were estimated using generalized estimated equations applied to longitudinal binary outcomes for presence or absence of infections at collection times. RESULTS: Of 2,404 children, 1,120 (46.6%) were infected with at least one STH infection during the first 8 years of life. The risk of A. lumbricoides (16.2%) was greatest at 3 years, while risks of any STH (25.1%) and T. trichiura (16.5%) peaked at 5 years. Factors significantly associated with any STH infection in multivariable analyses included age, day-care (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.03-1.73), maternal Afro-Ecuadorian ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.43-0.70) and lower educational level (secondary vs. illiterate, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.45)), household overcrowding (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.21-1.94)), having a latrine rather than a water closet (WC vs. latrine, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.95)), and STH infections among household members (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.59-2.58)). T. trichiura was more associated with poverty (high vs. low socioeconomic status, OR, 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99)] and presence of infected siblings in the household (OR 3.42, 95% CI 2.24-5.22). CONCLUSION: STH infections, principally with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, peaked between 3 and 5 years in this cohort of children in tropical Ecuador. STH infections among household members were an important determinant of infection risk and could be targeted for control and elimination strategies

Feminización de la profesión médica e inserción laboral pública en Ecuador

Introducción: Las facultades de medicina de Ecuador muestran un incremento de la matrícula femenina. El Plan Nacional del Buen Vivir, pretende un cambio en el modelo de desarrollo económico y social, enfatiza las políticas de equidad de género y amplia los servicios públicos de salud. Estas acciones requieren insertar, de manera inmediata, un mayor número de profesionales; sin embargo, la falta de médicos especialistas en el sistema sanitario público ha sido reconocida como una debilidad del proceso. Objetivo: Cuantificar la distribución de la condición de egreso por cohortes de los estudiantes de medicina a nivel nacional y la distribución por sexo de los médicos funcionarios públicos del Ministerio de Salud Pública de Ecuador relacionado a la tasa de puestos vacantes; y explicar, utilizando la teoría fundamentada, la interacción de la feminización de la profesión médica, el ejercicio profesional y la inserción laboral pública a partir de los discursos de los y las estudiantes de posgrado y de los médicos/cas especialistas en ejercicio, integrantes del sistema sanitario público y privado en el año 2014. Metodología: Se realizaron dos estudios, uno cuantitativo que analizó una base de datos nacional, con aspectos demográficos y laborales de médicos/as, en la franja de edad de 25 a 30 años de edad, insertos en el sistema sanitario público, en los años2.008 y 2.012 y el número de plazas y puestos vacantes en el mismo periodo; y la otra base de datos, correspondiente a estudiantes de las 22 facultades ecuatorianas de medicina, cohorte2.008 al 2013, en las cuales se calculó el Índice de Paridad de Género (IPG). La descripción de las variables se hizo con proporciones y se infirió con IC95% siguiendo la distribución binomial, en el software SPSS v.21. El estudio cualitativo fue interpretativo-explicativo, mediante entrevistas en profundidad a profesionales especialistas del sistema público y del privado; y, entrevistas grupales a estudiantes de posgrado de universidades públicas y privadas se codificaron sus discursos, de manera inductiva se construyó una potencial explicación de la falta de inserción de médicos/cas en el sistema público. La perspectiva utilizada fue el enfoque de género y se apoyó el análisis en el software Nvivo. Resultados: El IPG en los médicos/as del MSP en el año 2.008 y en el 2.012 fue 2,36 (IC95% 1,89-3,03) y 1,41 (IC95% 1,29-1,54), respectivamente. El IPG de egreso de las facultades de medicina fue significativamente menor respecto al del ingreso. Del 2.008 al 2.012 aumentó 6.1 veces el número de puestos para médicos/cas, en el sistema público, que no se llenan; en el mismo periodo, el incremento de plazas fue 31,1%. No se registró discriminación de género al elegir la carrera de medicina, pero sí fue notoria en la elección de la especialidad y durante el ejercicio profesional, la misma que procede principalmente de los pacientes, de quienes su reconocimiento es fundamental en la construcción del oficio médico y guía la decisión en la selección del ámbito de trabajo. Existen especialidades consideradas propias para la mujer; y otras, como las quirúrgicas, son asequibles al hombre, tanto en el ámbito público como en el privado. Las mujeres médicas han asumido la maternidad como un habitus exclusivo de ellas; y, consideran que es su principal responsabilidad y realización personal; sin embargo, limita la construcción del oficio médico. Conclusión: En la educación médica inician más mujeres que hombres; sin embargo se gradúan menos mujeres en las universidades privadas. En el sistema sanitario público se registró más mujeres médicas que hombres; sin embargo en cinco años la razón hombre/mujer ha disminuido. En la construcción del oficio médico inciden de manera determinante el género, las oportunidades que brinden el contexto académico; y, el capital social, económico y el cultural. Las médicas pobres y con hijos son las que tienen menor oportunidad de desarrollo profesional; en cambio, los hombres con capital, social, económico y cultural prefieren el sistema privado por sentir que se realizan en el oficio médico, mientras que en el sistema público se convierten en burócratas de la medicina. En los dos sistemas se presenta segregación vertical y horizontal para las médicas; sin embargo, el sistema público brinda mayores oportunidades para el ejercicio profesional de las mujeres cirujanasIntroduction: Ecuadorian medical schools have experienced an increase in female students. The Ecuadorian National Plan for Well-being seeks a change in the model for economic and social development, emphasizing policies that promote gender equity and expand public health services. These policies demand an immediate increase in the number of health professionals in the public system; however, the lack of medical specialists in the public health system has been recognized as a weakness in this process. Objective: Quantify the gender distribution nationally of medical school graduate cohorts and within the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador in terms of vacant posts; and explore, using grounded theory, the interaction between feminization of the medical profession, professional practice, and participation in the public health sector through narratives from post-graduate students and practicing medical specialists that work in the public health system and the private sector in 2014. Methodology: Two studies were done. One was quantitative and utilized two databases: 1) a database that had demographic and employment information about physicians aged 25-30 years old who worked in the public health system in 2008 and 2012 and the number of positions and vacant (unfilled) positions in the same period; 2) and the other database, corresponding to students from 22 Ecuadorian medical schools, 2008-2013 cohort, from which the Gender Parity Index (GPI) was calculated. Descriptive statistics included proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%) using binomial distribution in SPSS software v. 21. The qualitative study was interpretive-explanatory and used: 1) in-depth interviews with medical specialists in the public and private systems; and, 2) focus group interviews with postgraduate students at public and private universities. Interview and focus group transcripts were coded and inductive approaches were used to develop a potential explanation for the lack of physician participation in the public sector. A gender focus was used to interpret the data and NVivo software was used to code and analyze the data. Results: The GPI among doctors in the Ministry of Public Health in 2008 and 2012 was 2.36 (CI95% 1.89-3.03) and 1.41 (CI95% 1.29-154), respectively. The GPI among medical school graduates was significantly lower than among the same group as entrants. From 2008 to 2012 the number of vacant physician positions in the public system increased 6.1 times; in the same period, the number of positions increased 31.1%. There were no gender discrimination when electing medicine as a career, but it was important when choosing specialty and during professional practice, mostly because of patients, whose recognition is fundamental in the construction of physician identity and guides decisions in the selection of work environment. There are specialties that are considered particularly appropriate for women; and others, like surgery, are more accessible to men, in both public and private sectors. Women physicians have assumed maternal roles as a habitus that is exclusively theirs; and consider that it is their principal responsibility and important for personal fulfillment; nevertheless, this limits development of the overall medical profession. Conclusion: More women than men start studying medicine; nevertheless, fewer women graduate than men in private universities. In the public health system, there are more women physicians than men; nevertheless, in five years, the ratio of men to women has decreased. In the construction of the physician role, gender plays a critical role and influences the opportunities that result from academia and social, economic, and cultural capital. Women physicians who come from low socio-economic circumstances and already have children have fewer opportunities for professional development; in contrast, men with social, economic, and cultural capital prefer the private system, where they can feel accomplished in their roles as physicians, while in the public system, they become medicine bureaucrats. In both systems, there is vertical and horizontal segregation for women physicians; nevertheless, the public system provides more opportunities for women surgeons to exercise their profession