TUTOR`S ROLES AND PERFORMANCES IN MODERN HUMAN ANATOMY COURSE SUPPORTED BY VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY

Dynamical development of technologies changes not only education system in medicine at Rīga Stradiņš University, but there are a lot of performances in roles of the tutors, their skills and knowledge. The aim of this study was to investigate how the use of the 3D virtual dissection table “Anatomage”, like a platform for teaching of the students, transforms the tutor’s roles. In years 2016-2019 ten tutors learned the virtual technology well enough to utilize it in the practical classes and to integrate new, modern content into Human Anatomy curriculum at Department of Morphology. Tutors used virtual dissection platform and tools for a variety of purposes and in many ways. New technology helped tutors to develop topics with more interactive, complex tasks and collaboration among students, promoted required assessment methods and student self-assessment. Based on the variety of roles played by the Human Anatomy tutor in this virtual experience, through the focus groups we were fixed four main tutor’s roles types (technical, pedagogical, social and leadering). Variations in the usage of the “Anatomage” offered and reflected important performances, differences and divergences in tutors and their`s beliefs about the utility of this technology in the study course

Perceived usefulness and ease of use of Web 2.0 tools in university teaching and learning in Tanzania

Despite the potentials Web 2.0 technologies have in supporting teaching and learning processes in higher education institutions, there is a  continuing debate on their perceived usefulness and ease of use. As such, this study examined academic staff and students’ perceptions on the use of Web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning activities in five Tanzanian universities. Specifically, the study aimed at determining the perceived usefulness and exploring perceived ease of use of Web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning activities. A mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative) was employed by the study. Accordingly, a cross-sectional survey, alongside documentary review, was used to collect data from a sample of 350 respondents selected through simple randomly sampling and 10 purposively selected informants. The study findings suggest that faculty members and students used Web 2.0 technologies for academic discussions, posting and accessing lecture slides and tutorials, sharing materials and scholarly communication. The findings further inform that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of Web 2.0 technologies are important predictors of the adoption of these tools. On the basis of these findings, ICT infrastructure investment, training to upgrade skills and knowledge, policies and usage guidelines and other usage motivations are recommended to be in place to promote the usage of Web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning. Besides, technical support to customise Web 2.0 technologies in teaching and learning activities is crucial. Keywords: Web 2.0, web technologies, users’ perception, teaching and learning, e-learnin

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY IN HUMAN ANATOMY MODERN TEACHING AND LEARNING

There are various combinations of 3D printing technology and medical study process. The aim of this study was to summarize our first experience on 3D printing and outline how 3D printed models can be successfully used in Human Anatomy modern teaching and learning. In 2018 autumn semester, together with traditional methods, a three-dimensional (3D) printing has been introduced into Human Anatomy curriculum at Department of Morphology. In practical classes 39 groups of students from Faculty of Medicine 1st year together with 3 tutors used 3 different open source softwares to create anatomical models and prepared them for printing process. All anatomical models were produced using an FDM 3D printer, a Prusa i3 MK2 (Prusa Research). As methods for data collection were used our observational notes during teaching and learning, analysis of discussions between tutors and students, comments on the preparing and usability of the created and printed models. 3D printing technology offered students a powerful tool for their teaching, learning and creativity, provided possibility to show human body structures or variations. Presented data offered valuable information about current situation and these results were suitable for the further development of the Human Anatomy study course

Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip-Ratio in the Prediction of Obesity in Turkish Teenagers

The aim of this study was to identify the usefulness of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist- -to-hip ratio (WHR) in screening for obesity in teenagers by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). To select the sample set in this cross-sectional study, a stratified random sampling approach was utilized.Weight, height, WC, hip circumference and body fat percentage (BFP) were measured in 1118 children of both genders (597 boys and 521 girls), aged from 10 to 15 years old. Percentiles of BMI and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-United States (CDCUS)- growth chart for boys and girls aged from 10 to 15 years old were presented. ROC analyses were then used to evaluate the performances of three anthropometric indices; BMI, WC and WHR had strong positive correlations with BFP (r=0.49–0.77) in both girls and boys within indicated age group. The area under the curves (AUCs) were high in both girls and boys for BMI, 0.795 and 0.893, respectively, and WC, 0.767 and 0.853, respectively, and were a little lower, 0.747 and 0.783, respectively, for WHR. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the prevalence of being overweight and obese among teenagers of both sexes in our data set does not differ from CDC-US-growth chart. In addition, BMI and WC are two important predictors for teenagers to become overweight and obese, while WHR is less useful for this purpose

An Analysis of the Factors Influencing Research Capacity Developments in Higher Education Institutions in Tanzania

The study examined factors influencing efforts towards developing research capacity in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tanzania. A mixed research approach (quantitative and qualitative) was employed in the study. Accordingly, a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires and semi-structured interview was used to collect primary data from simple randomly and purposively selected academic staff. The study findings show that competences, knowledge, and experiences in conducting research are the attributes that faculty members acquire through short training aimed to enhance competences in conducting research. Factors promoting research capacity development include presence of research policy and awareness of it, motivation to conduct research, availability and adequacy of research funds. Challenges faced were insufficient research skills, poor collaboration between senior and junior academic staff, and lack of proactiveness and commitment in conducting research. The study recommends that HEIs should regularly organize training on research skills for academic staff and faculty members to be proactive and committed in carrying out research.&nbsp

Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip-ratio in the prediction of obesity in Turkish teenagers

Publisher Copyright: © 2014, Croatian Anthropological Society. All rights reserved.The aim of this study was to identify the usefulness of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist- -to-hip ratio (WHR) in screening for obesity in teenagers by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). To select the sample set in this cross-sectional study, a stratified random sampling approach was utilized.Weight, height, WC, hip circumference and body fat percentage (BFP) were measured in 1118 children of both genders (597 boys and 521 girls), aged from 10 to 15 years old. Percentiles of BMI and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-United States (CDCUS)- growth chart for boys and girls aged from 10 to 15 years old were presented. ROC analyses were then used to evaluate the performances of three anthropometric indices; BMI, WC and WHR had strong positive correlations with BFP (r=0.49–0.77) in both girls and boys within indicated age group. The area under the curves (AUCs) were high in both girls and boys for BMI, 0.795 and 0.893, respectively, and WC, 0.767 and 0.853, respectively, and were a little lower, 0.747 and 0.783, respectively, for WHR. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the prevalence of being overweight and obese among teenagers of both sexes in our data set does not differ from CDC-US-growth chart. In addition, BMI and WC are two important predictors for teenagers to become overweight and obese, while WHR is less useful for this purpose.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Investigation into the viability of using pervious pavements in storm water management to reduce flooding in townships

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.M.Ing. (Civil Engineering

Characterization of cytokines and proliferation marker Ki67 in cleft affected lip tissue

Funding Information: Funding: This research was funded by Riga Stradins University, Nr.5-1/106/2019 from 12.04.2019 “The elaboration of diagnostic prognostic factor algorithm of facial tissue complex regeneration for cleft patients in longitudinal aspect”. Publisher Copyright: © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Background and objectives: Cleft lip palate takes the second place among all anomalies. The complex appearance of cytokines and proliferation markers has still not been clarified despite their possible crucial role in cleft tissue. Therefore, the aim of work was the detection of appearance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and proliferation marker Ki67, and their inter-correlations in cleft affected lip (CAL). Materials and Methods: The lip material was obtained from 16 children aged before primary dentition during plastic surgery. Control was obtained from 7 non-CAL oral tissue. Tissues were stained for IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and Ki67 immunohistochemically. Nonparametric statistic, Mann-Whitney and Spearman’s coefficient were used. Results: All cytokines positive cells were observed more into the epithelium. Statistically significant difference was seen between epithelial IL-1, IL-10, IL-8 and Ki67 positive cells and IL-10-, IL-4-containing connective tissue cells in comparison to the control. Strong positive correlation was detected in CAL epithelium between IL-10 and IL-8, IL-10 and IL-4, IL-10 and IL-1, IL-1 and IL-8, IL-1 and IL-4, IL-4 and IL-8, IL-8 and Ki67, IL-10 and Ki67, but moderate-in connective tissue between IL-1 and IL-10, IL-1 and IL-4. Conclusion: The CAL epithelium is the main source for the interleukins. Rich similar expression of IL-1 and IL-10 suggests the balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory tissue response on basis of dysregulated tissue homeostasis (increase of IL-8). The correlations between the different ILs -1, -4, -8, -10 in CAL epithelium seem to indicate the self-protection compensatory mechanism for intensification of local inflammatory-immune response without involvement of IL-6. The correlations between Ki67 and cytokines indicate the involvement of IL-8 and IL-10 in stimulation of cellular proliferation. IL-4 and IL-10 expression from CAL connective tissue simultaneously to IL-1, IL-4 and IL-10 inter-correlations there suggests the intensification of local immune response regulated probably by main pro-inflammatory cytokine-IL-1.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Current Dynamics of the Rural and Urban Spaces of Cantabria: Rururbanization and Periurbanization Processes in the mid zone of the Pas Area

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar causas, procesos y consecuencias de las transformaciones territoriales, económicas, sociales y demográficas de la zona media del Pas en Cantabria. Esta área tradicionalmente rural y ganadera que forma parte del singular territorio pasiego, se ha visto afectada por los procesos de periurbanización y rururbanización, causados principalmente por un cambio en la dinámica económica y un aumento de la población ligado a la intensa construcción de viviendas en la zona.ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to analyze the causes, the processes and the consequences of the territorial, economic, social and demographic transformations of the mid zone of the Pas area in Cantabria. This traditional rural and livestock area, part of the unique “Pasiego” territory, has been influenced by periurbanization and rururbanization processes, caused mainly by a change in economic dynamics and an increase in the population linked to the intense construction of homes in the area.Grado en Geografía y Ordenación del Territori

Small RNA sequencing of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid reveals differentially expressed miRNAs related to neural and glial activity

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinical subtype of motor neurone disease (MND), a fatal neurodegenerative disease involving the loss of both the upper and lower motor neurones from the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. Identifying specific disease biomarkers would help to not only improve diagnostic delay but also to classify disease subtypes, monitor response to therapeutic drugs and track disease progression. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA responsible for regulating gene expression and ultimately protein expression and have been used as biomarkers for many cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Investigating the detection of miRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that bathes the central nervous system (CNS) is a prime target for identifying potential biomarkers for ALS. This is the first study to investigate the expression of miRNAs in the CSF of ALS patients using small RNA sequencing. We detected 11 differentially expressed miRNAs in the CSF of sporadic ALS (sALS) patients related to neural and glial activity. Additionally, miRNAs involved in glucose metabolism and the regulation of oxidative stress were also identified. Detecting the presence of potential CSF derived miRNA biomarkers in sALS could open up a whole new area of knowledge to help gain a better understanding of disease pathophysiology. Additionally, with further investigation, the tracking of CSF miRNA over the disease course could be used to follow the disease progression and monitor the effect of novel therapeutics that could be personalized to an individual disease phenotype