Exploring Quality Teaching in the Online Environment Using an Evidence-Based Approach

Online learning is increasingly ubiquitous in higher education. However, research regarding online teaching often focuses on the affordances of the online environment rather than on the quality of pedagogy. In this paper we consider how online learning could be enhanced using rich pedagogical models that are consistent with a wealth of existing knowledge on pedagogy for face-to-face settings. To do so, we apply an established framework, the Quality Teaching model, to explore pedagogy in the online environment and illustrate its potential benefits using a case study of 60 students in a tertiary mathematics teacher education program. We conclude that the use of an evidence-based pedagogical model can help guide online instructors in the development of high quality online course

How Will It Drape Like? Capturing Fabric Mechanics from Depth Images

We propose a method to estimate the mechanical parameters of fabrics using a casual capture setup with a depth camera. Our approach enables to create mechanically-correct digital representations of real-world textile materials, which is a fundamental step for many interactive design and engineering applications. As opposed to existing capture methods, which typically require expensive setups, video sequences, or manual intervention, our solution can capture at scale, is agnostic to the optical appearance of the textile, and facilitates fabric arrangement by non-expert operators. To this end, we propose a sim-to-real strategy to train a learning-based framework that can take as input one or multiple images and outputs a full set of mechanical parameters. Thanks to carefully designed data augmentation and transfer learning protocols, our solution generalizes to real images despite being trained only on synthetic data, hence successfully closing the sim-to-real loop.Key in our work is to demonstrate that evaluating the regression accuracy based on the similarity at parameter space leads to an inaccurate distances that do not match the human perception. To overcome this, we propose a novel metric for fabric drape similarity that operates on the image domain instead on the parameter space, allowing us to evaluate our estimation within the context of a similarity rank. We show that out metric correlates with human judgments about the perception of drape similarity, and that our model predictions produce perceptually accurate results compared to the ground truth parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures. Accepted to EUROGRAPHICS 2023. Project website: https://carlosrodriguezpardo.es/projects/MechFromDepth

Effectiveness of Conservative Treatments in Positional Plagiocephaly in Infants: A Systematic Review

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze conservative treatments implemented to manage positional plagiocephaly in infants. Methods: This is a systematic review conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, performed in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Articles were selected according to the eligibility criteria, regarding the effectiveness of conservative treatments in positional plagiocephaly in infants, published in the last 10 years with a score ≥3 in the PEDro Scale. Results: A total of 318 articles were identified and 9 of them were finally selected. Conclusions: Physical therapy treatment is considered as the first line of intervention in plagiocephaly with nonsynostotic asymmetries and manual therapy is the method that obtains the best results within this intervention. In cases of moderate or severe plagiocephaly, helmet therapy can be an effective secondline intervention; however, the best way to prevent this condition is through counseling of parents or caregivers, and early treatment is essential for optimal therapeutic outcomes. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CDR42022306466)

Síndrome de Burnout en auxiliares de enfermería en un centro de salud desde la perspectiva psicológica

Describir los efectos psicológicos ligados a la sobrecarga laboral en auxiliares de enfermería.El síndrome de Burnout es definido en la actualidad como el síndrome de desgaste profesional, se caracteriza por una respuesta extrema al estrés crónico dentro del contexto laboral generando agotamiento físico, mental, desajuste organizacional y social progresivo, afectando al trabajador y a su entorno. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo escribir los efectos psicológicos ligadas a la sobrecarga laboral en auxiliares de enfermería, por su naturaleza es de enfoque Mixto, con un diseño exploratorio secuencial, donde se utilizó una población de 30 auxiliares de enfermería, y una muestra de 10 auxiliares de enfermería del servicio asistencial, así mismo, se utilizó técnicas de recolección datos cualitativos y cuantitativos, en el primero un grupo focal, con instrumento de entrevista semiestructurado y en el segundo encuesta, con instrumento de adaptación del cuestionario interactivo validado de Síndrome de Burnout, se concluyo que el 59% de las enfermeras presentan Burnout, el 10% manifiesta sentirse cómodos en su lugar de trabajo y el 31% refiere tener problemas psicosomáticosThe Burnout syndrome is currently defined as the burnout syndrome, it is characterized by an extreme response to chronic stress within the work context, generating physical, mental exhaustion, progressive organizational and social imbalance, affecting the worker and their environment. The objective of this research was to write the psychological effects linked to work overload in nursing assistants, by its nature it is of a Mixed approach, with a sequential exploratory design, where a population of 30 nursing assistants was used, and a sample of 10 Likewise, qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were used, in the first a focus group, with a semi-structured interview instrument and in the second survey, with an adaptation instrument of the validated interactive questionnaire of Burnout Syndrome It was concluded that 59% of the nurses present Burnout, 10% state that they feel comfortable in their workplace and 31% report having psychosomatic problem

Síndrome de Burnout en auxiliares de enfermería en un centro de salud desde la perspectiva psicológica

Describir los efectos psicológicos ligados a la sobrecarga laboral en auxiliares de enfermería.El síndrome de Burnout es definido en la actualidad como el síndrome de desgaste profesional, se caracteriza por una respuesta extrema al estrés crónico dentro del contexto laboral generando agotamiento físico, mental, desajuste organizacional y social progresivo, afectando al trabajador y a su entorno. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo escribir los efectos psicológicos ligadas a la sobrecarga laboral en auxiliares de enfermería, por su naturaleza es de enfoque Mixto, con un diseño exploratorio secuencial, donde se utilizó una población de 30 auxiliares de enfermería, y una muestra de 10 auxiliares de enfermería del servicio asistencial, así mismo, se utilizó técnicas de recolección datos cualitativos y cuantitativos, en el primero un grupo focal, con instrumento de entrevista semiestructurado y en el segundo encuesta, con instrumento de adaptación del cuestionario interactivo validado de Síndrome de Burnout, se concluyo que el 59% de las enfermeras presentan Burnout, el 10% manifiesta sentirse cómodos en su lugar de trabajo y el 31% refiere tener problemas psicosomáticosThe Burnout syndrome is currently defined as the burnout syndrome, it is characterized by an extreme response to chronic stress within the work context, generating physical, mental exhaustion, progressive organizational and social imbalance, affecting the worker and their environment. The objective of this research was to write the psychological effects linked to work overload in nursing assistants, by its nature it is of a Mixed approach, with a sequential exploratory design, where a population of 30 nursing assistants was used, and a sample of 10 Likewise, qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were used, in the first a focus group, with a semi-structured interview instrument and in the second survey, with an adaptation instrument of the validated interactive questionnaire of Burnout Syndrome It was concluded that 59% of the nurses present Burnout, 10% state that they feel comfortable in their workplace and 31% report having psychosomatic problem

Impact of the dosimetry approach on the resulting 90Y radioembolization planned absorbed doses based on 99mTc-MAA SPEC T-CT: is there agreement between dosimetry methods?

Background: Prior radioembolization, a simulation using 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin as 90Y-microspheres surrogate is performed. Gamma scintigraphy images (planar, SPECT, or SPECT-CT) are acquired to evaluate intrahepatic 90Y-microspheres distribution and detect possible extrahepatic and lung shunting. These images may be used for pre-treatment dosimetry evaluation to calculate the 90Y activity that would get an optimal tumor response while sparing healthy tissues. Several dosimetry methods are available, but there is still no consensus on the best methodology to calculate absorbed doses. The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of using different dosimetry approaches on the resulting 90Y-radioembolization pre-treatment absorbed dose evaluation based on 99mTc-MAA images. Methods: Absorbed doses within volumes of interest resulting from partition model (PM) and 3D voxel dosimetry methods (3D-VDM) (dose-point kernel convolution and local deposition method) were evaluated. Additionally, a new “Multi-tumor Partition Model” (MTPM) was developed. The differences among dosimetry approaches were evaluated in terms of mean absorbed dose and dose volume histograms within the volumes of interest. Results: Differences in mean absorbed dose among dosimetry methods are higher in tumor volumes than in non-tumoral ones. The differences between MTPM and both 3D-VDM were substantially lower than those observed between PM and any 3D-VDM. A poor correlation and concordance were found between PM and the other studied dosimetry approaches. DVH obtained from either 3D-VDM are pretty similar in both healthy liver and individual tumors. Although no relevant global differences, in terms of absorbed dose in Gy, between both 3D-VDM were found, important voxel-by-voxel differences have been observed. Conclusions: Significant differences among the studied dosimetry approaches for 90Y-radioembolization treatments exist. Differences do not yield a substantial impact in treatment planning for healthy tissue but they do for tumoral liver. An individual segmentation and evaluation of the tumors is essential. In patients with multiple tumors, the application of PM is not optimal and the 3D-VDM or the new MTPM are suggested instead. If a 3D-VDM method is not available, MTPM is the best option. Furthermore, both 3D-VDM approaches may be indistinctly used

An epidemiological and molecular study regarding the spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a teaching hospital in Bogotá, Colombia 2016

Background: Enterococcus faecium is ranked worldwide as one of the top ten pathogens identified in healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and is classified as one of the high priority pathogens for research and development of new antibiotics worldwide. Due to molecular biology techniques' higher costs, the approach for identifying and controlling infectious diseases in developing countries has been based on clinical and epidemiological perspectives. Nevertheless, after an abrupt vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium dissemination in the Méderi teaching hospital, ending up in an outbreak, further measures needed to be taken into consideration. The present study describes the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium pattern within Colombian's largest installed-bed capacity hospital in 2016. Methods: Thirty-three vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates were recovered during a 5-month period in 2016. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis was used for molecular typing to determine clonality amongst strains. A modified time-place-sequence algorithm was used to trace VREfm spread patterns during the outbreak period and estimate transmission routes. Results: Four clonal profiles were identified. Chronological clonal profile follow-up suggested a transitional spread from profile 'A' to profile 'B', returning to a higher prevalence of 'A' by the end of the study. Antibiotic susceptibility indicated high-level vancomycin-resistance in most isolates frequently matching vanA gene identification. Discussion: Transmission analysis suggested cross-contamination via healthcare workers. Despite epidemiological control of the outbreak, post-outbreak isolates were still being identified as having outbreak-related clonal profile (A), indicating reduction but not eradication of this clonality. This study supports the use of combined molecular and epidemiological strategies in an approach to controlling infectious diseases. It contributes towards a more accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of the epidemiological measures taken regarding outbreak control and estimates the main cause related to the spread of this microorganism. © 2019 The Author(s)

Relative roles of endothelin-1 and angiotensin II in experimental post-ischaemic acute renal failure

Background. The relative roles of endothelin (ET)-1 and angiotensin (ANG) II in post-ischaemic acute renal failure (ARF) have not been fully established so far. With the aim of contributing to this goal, we assessed in this study the effect of ANG II and ET-1 blockade on the course of post-ischaemic-ARF. Methods. Anaesthetized Wistar rats received i.v. either bosentan (a dual ET receptor antagonist; 10 mg/kg body weight) or losartan [ANG II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist; 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight] or both, 20 min before, during and 20 min after ischaemia. Rats in the control group received the vehicle via the same route. Survival and renal function were monitored up to 8 days after the ischaemic challenge, while haemodynamic parameters were measured 24 h after ARF. Results. Our results demonstrate that bosentan treatment has a more beneficial effect on experimental ARF than losartan. The survival rate was remarkably higher in bosentan-treated rats than in both rat groups treated with losartan. In the ARF group treated with bosentan, renal blood flow (RBF) was increased by 129% in comparison with the untreated ARF group, whereas in the losartan-treated ARF groups, RBF was only similar to35 or 38% higher than in control ARF rats. The glomerular filtration rate was markedly higher in bosentan-treated rats than in all other ARF groups on the first and second day after ischaemia. Tubular cell injury was less severe in bosentan-treated rats than in the control ARF rats, but in losartan-treated groups it was similar to that in the ARF group. Concurrent blockade of both ET and AT(1) receptors did not improve ARF because this treatment induced a marked decrease in blood pressure. Conclusions. These results suggest that ET-1 blockade is more efficient in improving the early course of post-ischaemic renal injury than ANG II inhibition, and that blockade of ET-1 might be effective in prophylaxis of ischaemic ARF

Altered liver gene expression in CCl4-cirrhotic rats is partially normalized by insulin-like growth factor-I

We have previously shown that the administration of low doses of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to CCl4-cirrhotic rats improves liver function and reduces fibrosis. To better understand the mechanisms behind the hepatoprotective effects of IGF-I, and to identify those genes whose expression is affected in cirrhosis and after IGF-1 treatment, we have performed differential display of mRNA analysis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in livers from control and CCl4-cirrhotic rats treated or not with IGF-I. We have identified 16 genes that were up- or down-regulated in the cirrhotic liver. IGF-I treatment partially normalized the expression of eight of these genes, including serine proteinase inhibitors such as serpin-2 and alpha-1-antichymotripsin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and alpha-2u-globulin. Additionally, we show that IGF-I enhanced the regenerative activity in the cirrhotic liver, as determined by the increased expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Finally, IGF-I treatment partially restored the expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) and the levels of global genomic DNA methylation, which are reduced in human and experimental cirrhosis. Taken together, our observations confirm the hepatoprotective effects of IGF-I, and suggest that this action can be exerted in part through the normalization of liver gene expression, growth hormone (GH) responsiveness and global genomic DNA methylation

The future of isosorbide as a fundamental constituent for polycarbonates and polyurethanes

Isosorbide is a biobased compound which could become in the near future an advantageous competitor of petroleum-derived components in the synthesis of polymers of different nature. When the reactivity of isosorbide is not enough, it can be successfully transformed into secondary building blocks, such as isosorbide bis(methyl carbonate), which provides extra functionalities for polymerization reactions with diols or diamines. The present review summarizes the possibilities for isosorbide as a green raw material to be used in the synthesis of polycarbonates and polyurethanes to obtain products of similar or enhanced properties to the commercial equivalents.This paper is a part of the research carried out within the VIPRISCAR project which has received funding from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 790440. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-Based Industries Consortium