RESEARCH-BASED REFLECTIONS ABOUT CHARACTER EDUCATION: MYTHS, CHALLENGES AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

At present, youngsters’ character and virtue education issues are widely discussed in Latvia and in English-speaking academic environment. Given the existing criticism of these concepts, the research question was: what are the main misunderstandings about the nature of character and virtue education? After clarifying the neo-Aristotelian understanding of these concepts, recent research in the field of character education and virtues is presented for deconstructing some of the myths related to it, due to conceptual, historical, moral and political misunderstandings (Kristjánsson, 2013). Real problems (historical, methodological and practical) faced by character education programs in mainstream schools are addressed. The importance of giving personal significance to eudaimonia for promoting character and virtue education at school is discussed.

A multinational review : oesophageal cancer in low to middle-income countries

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is an aggressive neoplasm that manifests in the gastrointestinal tract and is the result of numerous factors that can contribute to the development of the disease. These may include old age, nutritional deficiencies, oesophageal obstruction and food ingestion difficulties. Environmental factors serve a large role in increasing the risk of developing OC. Two factors that serve an increasing risk of developing OC are the use of tobacco and the consumption of alcohol. Genetic factors also exhibit a large effect on the risk of developing OC, for example, the causative genes in Black Africans differ from other races. OC is 3‑4 times more common among men than women. OC has been previously reported in >450 000 individuals worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. The current review compares OC in low to middle‑income countries with developed countries. The incidence of OC, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is high in low and middle‑income countries. In developed countries, the incidence of SCC is low compared with adenocarcinoma. The majority of OC cases are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, leading to high mortality rates. The current review aimed to discuss factors that contribute to the development of this disease in different geographical areas and genetic mechanisms governing these findings. The current review also aims to discuss the preventative treatment options for the disease, and also discusses the diagnosis and surveillance in five LMICs, including South Africa, China, Tanzania, India and Brazil.The Medical Research Council of South Africahttp://www.spandidos-publications.com/olam2021Internal MedicineObstetrics and Gynaecolog

Report of Latvia of joint study by University of Latvia

ASEM-LLL Research network

ATP en organische C metingen in zwevend materiaal ter bepaling van de verhouding tusen levend en dood plankton in de Waddenzee, Eemsestuarium, Dollard en Ijsselmeer

The relation between dead and living organic suspended matter has been studied by means of analysis of organic carbon and ATP. This study was carried out in the Wadden Sea, including the Dollard, Eems-estuary and the IJsselmeer. The factor of Holm/Hansen C/ATP = 250 for living matter was used in the calculations. It was shown that this ratio is only valid for fine fractions; a filter with a pore width of 150 u was used to discard coarser material

Long-term coastal modelling central Dutch coast

Many practical simulation and prediction of coastal morphology involves so-called process-based modelling. This type of modelling is built around quantitative knowledge and understanding of physical processes that act on time-scales of seconds to days and on length-scales of meters to kilometres. Present day coastal zone management is supported intensely by process-based modelling, but it requires modelling tools for larger scales as well. This need may be satisfied by fairly recently developed behaviour-oriented modelling techniques, which combine mathematical extrapolation of observed behaviour with empiricism and qualitative insight into physics. One example of a behaviour-oriented approach is the model for cross-shore profile evolution developed by Niedoroda et al (1995). This approach is based on the assumption that cross-shore profile evolution revolves towards or around an equilibrium shape that is determined basically by the mean sea level, local hydrodynamics and sediment properties. Field observations indicate that cross-shore profiles of the central part of the Dutch coast exhibit on the long run a tendency towards an equilibrium shape. This means that at least in principle, the model presented by Niedoroda (1995) should be applicable to the central Dutch coast and that it can be used to predict this coast's long-term evolution. This requires that the information needed to complete the empirical basis of the model can be distilled effectively and accurately from available field observations. A preliminary assessment of whether this is feasible has been carried out in the present study. Prompted by availability of field data, this assessment has been focused on the upper shoreface of the central Dutch coast, extending from the beach to about 800 m seaward of the shoreline. It is not evident beforehand that at this distance from the shoreline, the character of the long-term net sediment transport complied with what has been assumed in formulating the applied model. As the results of the present study are not conclusive in this respect, it is recommended (for future research) to consider also field observations that reach further seaward and evaluate whether this leads to a better model performance. Inherent to behaviour-oriented large-scale morphological modelling of the cross-shore profile is that relatively small-scale features in bottom topography are disregarded. In view of this, we have used in the present study a rather smooth curve as a schematisation of the cross-shore profile. This curve reflects the main features of the shape of the profile, but not all the details. During the study, it appeared that the applied mathematical formulation of this schematisation was not chosen very sensibly, as it hampered proper estimation of model coefficients more than expected. In this respect, there is room for improvement. The above two recommendations form the main results of the present study. Actually, these recommendations should be followed in some way before any statement can be made on the significance of the considered model with respect to simulating and predicting the large-scale evolution of the central Dutch coast.Civil Engineering and Geoscience

Metingen van zoutgehalte, temperatuur en zwevend materiaal in de Waddenzee, april 1970-december 1971

During the period between April 1970 and Octoober 1972, 25 trips were made in the Dutch Wadden Sea from Den Helder to the Eems. Salinity, temperature and suspended matter were measured (Tables I to XXVI) and plotted on map (Figures 1 to 26

A description of drifter trajectories in the neighbourhood of current meters in the Southern part of the North Sea near the coast of Texel

Two methods have been used to simulate drifter trajectories out of current meter data. The results of the method using one current meter can be improved little by using data from three current meters. Errors in the simulations are made because of the existence of spatial variabilities in the velocity field which are not recognized by the current meters. The scale of these variabilities is between the tidal excursion of the drifters and the diameter of the cluster of 6 drifters. The influence of the variabilities is much greater than the influence of the velocity gradient over the current meter triangle. Divergence, vorticity, stretching and shearing deformation from drifter data have in general the same tidal character as these quantities determined from 3 current meter data sets, hut sometimes differences occur. These differences indicate also the variabilities in the velocity field

Interprofessional Collaborative Approach To Treating An Underserved Patient Through Telemedicine

Presentation discussing the following: An interprofessional approach to patient care improves patient outcomes and the overall success of patient visits. When assessing and treating an underprivileged individual via telehealth, an interprofessional team approach was taken utilizing students from social work, OT, DO, pharmacy, dental, and PA programs. The team met with the patient in two, twenty-minute sessions per appointment that allowed for a ten-minute team debrief in the middle. This allowed the team to redirect their questioning based on the initial session’s progress. Working as a team allowed team members to observe the patient and their actions within their chosen environment even while others were asking questions and gathering information. This collaborative team work allowed employing a holistic approach towards problem solving and provision of medical education along with resources to improve the overall healthcare outcome and meet specific goals. It also allowed building a strong rapport with the patient which can be difficult to do, especially over telehealth.https://dune.une.edu/cecespring2021/1011/thumbnail.jp