Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative

Online social networks are increasingly used by the population on a daily basis. They are considered a powerful tool for science communication and their potential as educational tools is emerging. However, their usefulness in academic practice is still a matter of debate. Here, we present the results of our pioneering experience teaching a full Basic Microbiology course via Twitter (#microMOOCSEM), consisting of 28 lessons of 40-45 minutes duration each, at a tweet per minute rate during 10 weeks. Lessons were prepared by 30 different lecturers, covering most basic areas in Microbiology and some monographic topics of general interest (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.). Data analysis on the impact and acceptance of the course were largely affirmative, promoting a 330% enhancement in the followers and a >350-fold increase of the number of visits per month to the Twitter account of the host institution, the Spanish Society for Microbiology. Almost one third of the course followers were located overseas. Our study indicates that Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) via Twitter are highly dynamic, interactive, and accessible to great audiences, providing a valuable tool for social learning and communicating science. This strategy attracts the interest of students towards particular topics in the field, efficiently complementing customary academic activities, especially in multidisciplinary areas like Microbiology.Versión del edito

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Understanding and coping with foreign language anxiety

Foreign Language Anxiety or FLA has become one of the most constant and persistent issues to be faced in the English classroom; thus, FLA is currently a complex obstacle for students to achieve a meaningful learning experience. Research has shown how students who undergo FLA are able to understand what they are doing in the classroom; nevertheless, “understanding” a topic or activity in class does not equate to going through a significant learning process. Considering the effect FLA can have in the students’ learning experience in addition to the rise in the public’s interest for concepts such as “mental health” and “anxiety” in recent years, it is of uttermost importance for teachers to be up-to-date with regard to this issue. This paper is based on current literature about the meaning behind FLA, its causes, its effects, and coping strategies for it. The analysis of the literature demonstrated all EFL students can experience FLA if one or more factors intertwine and trigger a crisis. This is because age, gender, proficiency, or emotional intelligence level do not contribute to a learner undergoing FLA. Moreover, it was clear that learning about the causes of FLA is the first step for an educator to create an anxiety-free classroom. Getting to know the triggering factors can not only help a teacher identify anxious students, but also inspire them to question their own pedagogical praxis. Finally, it is important to highlight that the inquiry indicated the relevancy of teachers instructing students on coping strategies for FLA since this can make a difference not only in class but in the learner’s lifeUniversidad Nacional, Costa RicaDivisión de Educologí

English language teaching in Costa Rica: Facing challenges

Undoubtedly, it is every teacher's life quest to find the best way to teach; there are no universal formulas to accomplish that. A committed teacher is a life-long learner, which shows why being an educator is not an easy career. A teacher is indeed like a candle that lights the students' path as it consumes itself. Such abnegation comes at a high price. Particularly, English teachers in a Country such as Costa Rica are faced with various challenges, ranging from deeply ingrained negative attitudes towards teachers and the education system itself, their own well-being which tends to be neglected a little too often, unequal access to resources and teaching materials, heterogeneous student populations, emotional factors in the classroom, among many others. An English teacher in a developing country (and probably elsewhere) has to be prepared to deal with the unexpected, learn, relearn, and unlearn, and whenever something new is learned, it is every (English) teacher's duty to share it using different means; getting published is but one way to do so. This ebook comprises a collection of essays written by students from the Master's Program in Education with an Emphasis on English Learning from Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica as part of their graduation project. In each of the manuscripts contained here, a Costa Rican English teacher reflects on some of his or her educational experiences and encountered challenges and proposes strategies to tackle them so that any English teachers out there facing similar situations may benefit from these ideas.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaDivisión de Educologí

Yeast phagocytosis by eosinophils: a case of disseminated histoplasmosis diagnosed in a peripheral blood smear

Case ReportsS

Ciencias Sociales y Relaciones Internacionales : nuevas perspectivas desde América Latina

Esta obra es un modesto intento para situar la disciplina de las Relaciones Internacionales dentro de las Ciencias Sociales, pero con una visión desde América Latina. El conjunto de trabajos, que se solicitaron expresamente a autoras y autores, se agrupa en tres secciones: i) Epistemología e Investigación; ii) Enfoques teóricos y metodológicos y iii) Estudio de casos.This work is a modest attempt to place the discipline of International Relations within the Social Sciences, but with a view from Latin America. The set of works, which is expressly requested from authors, is grouped into three sections: i) Epistemology and Research; ii) Theoretical and methodological approaches and iii) Case studies.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaIDESPOCLACSOEscuela de Relaciones Internacionale

Caracterización de los sistemas de captación de agua de los cantones de Hojancha y Nicoya, en Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Capítulo 2 del libro digital: Clima, agua y producción sostenible: Aportes desde la acción académica CEMEDE - HIDROCECEn esta investigación se caracterizaron los sistemas de captación de agua en los cantones de Hojancha y Nicoya, en Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Específicamente, se documentaron las razones que incentivaron a los agricultores a construir estos sistemas. Adicionalmente, se analizó la percepción de los agricultores acerca del estado actual del funcionamiento de estos sistemas, así como, de los beneficios obtenidos durante los meses de aridez estacional. La información fue obtenida por medio de visitas a las fincas, registrando la ubicación espacial de los sistemas, tomando fotografías del estado actual de la infraestructura de los sistemas. Además, se utilizaron encuestas que fueron aplicadas en finca, a los once dueños de sistemas de captación de agua. El diseño colaborativo de la metodología, así como el trabajo de campo, la transcripción de las encuestas y el análisis de la información fue realizada por los estudiantes y académicos de la Universidad Nacional (UNA). Los productores encuestados establecieron que el principal beneficio de los sistemas de captación es que pueden proporcionar el agua necesaria para desarrollar actividades agropecuarias durante la aridez estacional (seis meses). Esta es la temporada más difícil para el desarrollo de la ganadería y la agricultura en estos cantones. Los sistemas de captación de agua les permiten adaptarse a los problemas de escasez hídrica que se han agravado en los últimos diez años. A partir del análisis de los resultados, se identificaron oportunidades para mejorar el diseño técnico de los sistemas, así como, la necesidad de continuar investigando, a fin de, evaluar la eficiencia de la tecnología y las implicaciones de implementar los sistemas de captación de agua, para solventar la disponibilidad hídrica en la región.Centro Mesoamericano de Desarrollo Sostenible del Trópico Seco (CEMEDE-UNA)Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaUniversidad Nacional, Sede Regional Chorotega, Costa RicaCentro Mesoamericano de Desarrollo Sostenible del Trópico Seco (CEMEDE-UNA

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2