Serious game as support for the development of computational thinking for children with hearing impairment

Computational thinking (CT) has been a topic of interest in research, not only in the field of computer science, but also in education, since it allows the development of a set of competencies in the child related to problem-solving and decision-making. However, few studies on CT are focused on children with disabilities. Developing computational thinking skills for children with hearing problems is a challenge, even more so when their language skills are limited. Following a methodology for conception of serious games for children with hearing impairment called MECONESIS (Acronym in Spanish, MEtodología para CONcepción de juEgos Serios para nIños con discapacidad auditiva), we designed the serious game Perdi-Dogs for children between 7 and 11 years old with hearing impairment. We considered a set of aspects, such as challenges/learning, control, rules, feedback, interaction, rewards, surprise, communication/language, and fantasy. Perdi-Dogs involves both a physical and a digital interface, specifically a physical board together with digital interaction, by means of a QR (Quick Response) code and vibrotactile feedback system. Perdi-Dogs simulates a real environment, using physical elements able to interact simultaneously with technology. Evaluation was carried out with a group of seven children between 7 and 11 years old from the Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (Colombia). The results showed a high motivation to play for all of the children involved in the experiment

When agriculture rules over the territory: Drystone walls

The objectives of this paper are mainly the dissemination of knowledge about drystone walls, a “minor heritage”, and the awareness of its importance in the territory characterization. These objectives are achieved when this theme is disclosed and explained. Heritage is protected and appreciated only if it is understood. The expected practical impact is essentially related to the recognition of this type of heritage. The main methodology consists of bibliographical and iconography collection, field surveys and exchange of ideas with the local people. The approach is made from the point of view of how the practiced agriculture characterizes the territory, not only its structure, because is also necessary to know the local typologies of drystone walls to allow to characterize them. Some characteristics of drystone walls were discovered in this investigation, which are directly related to the territory where they are inserted. The following limitations were found: the gradual replacement of drystone walls with masonry walls; changes in the type of agriculture; the difficulty of finding masters who have the know-how about drystone walls; the recognition of this heritage by the local population; and the gradual local population diminution. Practical implications are an improved sense of belonging and identity as the knowledge and appreciation of this heritage increases the pride of the population which was verified in the field surveys. The originality of this paper is the object of study, the Parish of Cernache do Bonjardim, Portugal, since there are very few works about it, also with added value to the dissemination of this type of heritage and its potential exploitation and protection by local population. It is possible to renew theterritory of these walls and use it for touristic, educational and cultural purposes, encouraging the local economy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Affective Communication for Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Research on affective communication for socially assistive robots has been conducted to enable physical robots to perceive, express, and respond emotionally. However, the use of affective computing in social robots has been limited, especially when social robots are designed for children, and especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social robots are based on cognitiveaffective models, which allow them to communicate with people following social behaviors and rules. However, interactions between a child and a robot may change or be different compared to those with an adult or when the child has an emotional deficit. In this study, we systematically reviewed studies related to computational models of emotions for children with ASD. We used the Scopus, WoS, Springer, and IEEE-Xplore databases to answer different research questions related to the definition, interaction, and design of computational models supported by theoretical psychology approaches from 1997 to 2021. Our review found 46 articles; not all the studies considered children or those with ASD.This research was funded by VRIEA-PUCV, grant number 039.358/202

Short-term exposure to carbamazepine causes oxidative stress on common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Artículo científico en revista indizadaThe aim of this research was to determine the bioconcentration factor and if subacute exposure to carbama- zepine (2 mg L−1) modifies the oxidative state of liver, gills and brain of Cyprinus carpio. This was measured through the following biomarkers: hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl content, lipid peroxidation degree, as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Carbamazepine concentration in carp’s tissue was also determined by liquid chromatography with a diode arrangement detector. An increase in lipid peroxidation degree, hydroperoxide and protein carbonyl content, and a decrease in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05) with respect to control was observed. Also, there is an increase in the con- centration of carbamazepina present in the organs with respect to the water in the system, which denotes bioconcentration of the drug. In conclusion, carbamazepine is bioconcentrated and produces oxidative stress on the common carp (C. carpio).Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (SIP-IPN 20170919)

INTERVENCIÓN ENFERMERA ANTE LOS EMBARAZOS NO DESEADOS

In order to address the problem of unwanted pregnancies among youngsters, we have completed an observational and descriptive study between students of 15-16 (years old) from a school in the province of Huelva, Spain, to determine the cause(s) of above-mentioned increases. We consider this problem mainly affects the health and social costs, using both human and material resources. Likewise, to address the fact that many of these pregnancies are “interrupted” which creates important social and moral repercussions. To treat these problems we should pay attention to determine factors like earlier sexual arousal, changes in values, low risk perception and essentially the unreliable information sources that sometimes have different degrees of exactitude, such as friends, media, books and magazines. All this is what motivates us to find a nursing action geared to remedy the situation. The nursing action would be based, then, on giving better information about prevention and sexuality, an introduction to family planning, inviting both parents and teachers to attend. The aim is that sexual education becomes something natural and necessary at home, as well as part of the syllabus in school.Para el abordaje de la problemática de los embarazos no deseados en adolescentes hemos realizado un estudio observacional y descriptivo entre los alumnos de 15 a18 años de un colegio de la provincia de Huelva, para determinar las causas de dicho incremento. Consideramos que este problema afecta de lleno en los costes sanitarios y sociales, implicando tanto recursos humanos como materiales. Así mismo, atender al hecho de que muchos de los embarazos son interrumpidos, lo que genera una importante dicotomía social y moral. En el tratamiento de este problema debemos tener en cuenta factores determinantes como: que el despertar sexual es más temprano, cambios en las escalas de valores, baja percepción del riesgo y, fundamentalmente, el hecho de que las fuentes de información son muy variopintas con distintos grados de exactitud, tales como los amigos, los medios de comunicación, los libros y revistas. Todo esto es lo que nos mueve a buscar una intervención enfermera encaminada a paliar la situación, que se basará en dar información anticonceptiva y de sexualidad y en la familiarización con Planificación Familiar, haciendo participes a padres y profesores. El objeto está en hacer de la educación sexual en casa algo natural, sincero y necesario, así como parte de la materia docente del centro escolar.

Census of HII regions in NGC 6754 derived with MUSE: Constraints on the metal mixing scale

We present a study of the HII regions in the galaxy NGC 6754 from a two pointing mosaic comprising 197,637 individual spectra, using Integral Field Spectrocopy (IFS) recently acquired with the MUSE instrument during its Science Verification program. The data cover the entire galaxy out to ~2 effective radii (re ), sampling its morphological structures with unprecedented spatial resolution for a wide-field IFU. A complete census of the H ii regions limited by the atmospheric seeing conditions was derived, comprising 396 individual ionized sources. This is one of the largest and most complete catalogue of H ii regions with spectroscopic information in a single galaxy. We use this catalogue to derive the radial abundance gradient in this SBb galaxy, finding a negative gradient with a slope consistent with the characteristic value for disk galaxies recently reported. The large number of H ii regions allow us to estimate the typical mixing scale-length (rmix ~0.4 re ), which sets strong constraints on the proposed mechanisms for metal mixing in disk galaxies, like radial movements associated with bars and spiral arms, when comparing with simulations. We found evidence for an azimuthal variation of the oxygen abundance, that may be related with the radial migration. These results illustrate the unique capabilities of MUSE for the study of the enrichment mechanisms in Local Universe galaxies.Comment: 13 pages, 7 Figurs, accepted for publishing in A&

Taenia saginata en una adolescente

La teniasis es una parasitosis intestinal causada por la forma adulta de los cestodos (gusanos planos). En el ser humano se presentan dos especies, Taenia solium y Taenia saginata, ambas hermafroditas y que requieren un huésped intermediario para cumplir su ciclo: ganado porcino y ganado bovino respectivamente. El hombre es el huésped definitivo en el cual se desarrolla la forma adulta. La clínica principal de Taenia saginata es digestiva, mientras que Taenia solium puede afectar a otros tejidos. Se presenta el caso de una adolescente que elimina parásitos en la ropa interior y heces sin otro síntoma. Los describen como gusanos blancos, planos y móviles. En la anamnesis refiere que le gustan los chuletones de carne poco cocinada, pero sin concretar un posible foco de la infestación. Se realiza un análisis con resultado normal, excepto una eosinofilia de 9,6%. En el laboratorio de Microbiología, por visión directa tras tinción con tinta china y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa directa se confirma el diagnóstico de Taenia saginata. Tras el resultado, se le indica tratamiento con prazicuantel vía oral en dosis única (medicamento off-label), sin presentar efectos secundarios. Taeniasis is an intestinal parasitic infection due to an adult worm of tapeworms (cestodes). In humans, there are two main species: Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, both of them are hermaphrodites and require an intermediate host to complete their life circle: pigs beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata) and pork tapeworm (Taenia solium). Humans are the only definitive hosts in which the adult form develops. Taenia saginata mainly causes gastrointestinal symptoms, while Taenia solium can affect other tissues. We report the case of a teenager who found a number of adult worms on her intimate clothes and in her stools without any other symptom. The worms were described as flat, white and mobile. At the review, she said that she loved eating undercooked meat without determining the source of the infection. We detected high eosinophilia level in blood test (9, 6%). A microbiological test identified proglottids in the stool with a direct examination, and polymerase chain reaction methods established a species diagnosis of Taenia saginata. As a result, we started treatment with prazicuantel orally single dose (off-label) without presenting any side effects