SECONDARY TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION IN SCIENCE: FOCUS ON LEARNER-CENTERED, ACTION-ORIENTED, AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING

The shift from conventional, face-to-face classroom teaching to distance education is a complex process that brings various challenges. To better understand the impact of this transition, the researchers examined the perceptions of secondary science teachers (n = 42) and students (n = 137). Specifically, the study focused on evaluating learner-centered, action-oriented, and transformative learning – referred to as LCAOT learning – in science distance education. The researchers developed a 26-item, 4-point Likert scale questionnaire that was distributed online to the target respondents. Additionally, the researchers interviewed teachers and students and analyzed various documents, such as self-learning modules and learners’ activity sheets, to triangulate the survey data. The findings revealed that the principles of LCAOT learning were apparent in science distance education and exemplified through tools such as the Know, Want to Know, and Learned charts and personal journals. The study also revealed that teachers and students faced challenges during the transition to distance education, including inadequate equipment and poor internet connectivity. However, they responded to these challenges by using various means of communication, collaborating with peers, and exploring new roles and identities. The researchers recommend using the developed instrument and continuing to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching strategies employed in distance education in science, as well as further studies on the impact of LCAOT learning on students’ academic achievement

Stent Scraping for Histology: An Alternative Method for Obtaining Tissue to Rule out Neoplasia

Despite improvement in diagnostic modalities, confirmation of a histologic diagnosis of cancer of the biliary tree and pancreas remains elusive. Attempts to collect positive cytology specimens from vigorous brushings or washings obtained at endoscopy or percutaneously are often unsuccessful. In our unit, we have increased the yield by obtaining tissue scraped from prostheses that have been previously placed in either the bile duct or the pancreatic duct. The stents are first flushed with saline to collect cytology specimens, after which, they are bisected and scraped, and these contents are prepared in a manner similar to that used to prepare biopsy samples. Twelve of 16 scraped samples, 9 bile duct and 3 pancreas, were positive for adenocarcinoma. The cytology specimens were positive in only 4 of the 12. We recommend this method of sampling from material contained within prostheses as an adjunct when previous brushings, washings, or biopsies are negative

Targeted vagus nerve stimulation for rehabilitation after stroke

No abstract available

A Novel Intraurethral Device Diagnostic Index to Classify Bladder Outlet Obstruction in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Objectives. Using a urethral device at the fossa navicularis, bladder pressure during voiding can be estimated by a minimal invasive technique. This study purposes a new diagnostic index for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). Methods. Fifty one patients presenting with LUTSs were submitted to a conventional urodynamic and a minimal invasive study. The results obtained through the urethral device and invasive classic urodynamics were compared. The existing bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) equation that classifies men with LUTSs was modified to allow minimal invasive measurement of isovolumetric bladder pressure in place of detrusor pressure at maximum urine flow. Accuracy of the new equation for classifying obstruction was then tested in this group of men. Results. The modified equation identified men with obstruction with a positive predictive value of 68% and a negative predictive value of 70%, with an overall accuracy of 70%. Conclusions. The proposed equation can accurately classify over 70% of men without resorting to invasive pressure flow studies. We must now evaluate the usefulness of this classification for the surgical treatment of men with LUTSs

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Penile Cancer: A Comparative Study Using Modified Inguinal Dissection

Introduction In the case of clinically negative inguinal regions in penile cancer, the treatments proposed might vary from careful observation to radical dissection for all patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of the sentinel lymph node biopsy using lymphoscintigraphy in patients with penile cancer and at least one negative inguinal region Materials and Methods In 18 patients, biopsy of the sentinel lymph node from the 32 negative inguinal regions and modified radical lymphadenectomy in these regions regardless of the biopsy results was performed. Clinical staging, pathological results of the sentinel and the other lymph nodes removed during lymphadenectomy, tumor behavior, local and inguinal recurrence and specific disease mortality were accessed. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 57.7 years (44 - 81 years) and the sentinel lymph node presented 0% false negative 66% sensitivity, and 79.3% specificity when compared with the modified inguinal lymphadenectomy as the gold standard treatment Conclusion: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a feasible method of assessing the presence of regional metastasis in patients with penile cancer and clinically negative inguinal regions However, the optimal lymphoscintigraphy technique is still in evolution and requires further optimization at high volume centers34672573

Vesicostomy as a Protector of Upper Urinary Tract in Long-Term Follow-Up

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the results of vesicostomy in children as a protector of the upper urinary tract and assess the adjustments taken by the caregivers. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one children who had undergone vesicostomy with the Blocksom technique were evaluated. Their mean age was 3.7 years (range, < 1 to 10 years). The evaluation consisted of kidney function tests, cystography, and analysis of complications. Twenty parents or caregivers were interviewed about their attitudes towards vesicostomy and its outcomes. Results: The main causes of the vesical dysfunction were posterior urethral valve in 7 (33.3%) and myelomeningocele in 5 patients (23.8%). Ten children (58.8%) showed improvement and 7 (41,2%) showed cure. Hydronephrosis observed in 17 children was alleviated or cured following the procedure. Kidney function, tested by creatinine clearance calculation, remained stable or improved in 20 patients (95.2%). Episodes of urinary tract infection and 1 (71.4%), vesicoureteral reflux lowered in 8 of 21 (38.1%) and 10 of 14 patients respectively. Subjective evaluation of 20 cases showed that 18 children (90.0%) remained dry during the day and 14 caregivers/parents (70.0%) felt they had acquired the skills necessary to handle a patient with vesicostomy. The mean global rate of satisfaction of the results of the surgery ranging from 0 (worst result) to 10 (best result) was 8.7. Conclusion: Vesicostomy is a simple surgery that protects the upper urinary tract, decreases hydronephrosis, and improves kidney function. There was adequate adjustment to vesicostomy and a positive global evaluation as reported by the parents and caregivers.629610

Intravesical Protrusion of the Prostate as a Predictive Method of Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Objective. Pressure-flow study is the gold standard for diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) A prospective study was carried out to compare urodynamic evaluation and measurement of intravesical protrusion of the prostate for diagnosing BOO Materials and Methods Patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and suspected BOO were prospectively evaluated through conventional urodynamics and classified according to the bladder outlet obstruction index (BOO!). They also underwent abdominal ultrasound measurement of the intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) and prostatic volume. The I PP was classified into three stages grade I under 5 mm; grade 11, between 5 and 10 mm, and grade III over 10 mm Results Forty-two patients, mean age 64.8 +/- 8.5 years were enrolled Transabdominal ultrasound determined a mean prostatic volume of 45 +/- 3 2 mL. Achieved IPP's values were the following: grade I - 12 (28.5%), grade II - 5 - (12%) and grade III - 25 (59.5%). The results of prostate volume differed significantly between obstructed and non-obstructed men (p = 0.033) and for IPP among obstructed, inconclusive and non-obstructed men (p = 0 016). For IPP, the area under ROC curve was 0.758 (95% confidence interval - 0.601 to 0 876), and the cutoff point to indicate BOO was 5 mm with 95 % sensitivity (75 1 - 99 2) and 50% specificity (28.2 - 71 8). Conclusion IPP and prostatic volume measured through abdominal ultrasound are noninvasive and accessible methods that significantly correlate to urinary BOO, and are useful in the diagnosis of male urinary obstructive problems.34562763

Toward Improving Safety in Neurosurgery with an Active Handheld Instrument

Microsurgical procedures, such as petroclival meningioma resection, require careful surgical actions in order to remove tumor tissue, while avoiding brain and vessel damaging. Such procedures are currently performed under microscope magnification. Robotic tools are emerging in order to filter surgeons’ unintended movements and prevent tools from entering forbidden regions such as vascular structures. The present work investigates the use of a handheld robotic tool (Micron) to automate vessel avoidance in microsurgery. In particular, we focused on vessel segmentation, implementing a deep-learning-based segmentation strategy in microscopy images, and its integration with a feature-based passive 3D reconstruction algorithm to obtain accurate and robust vessel position. We then implemented a virtual-fixture-based strategy to control the handheld robotic tool and perform vessel avoidance. Clay vascular phantoms, lying on a background obtained from microscopy images recorded during petroclival meningioma surgery, were used for testing the segmentation and control algorithms. When testing the segmentation algorithm on 100 different phantom images, a median Dice similarity coefficient equal to 0.96 was achieved. A set of 25 Micron trials of 80 s in duration, each involving the interaction of Micron with a different vascular phantom, were recorded, with a safety distance equal to 2&nbsp;mm, which was comparable to the median vessel diameter. Micron’s tip entered the forbidden region 24% of the time when the control algorithm was active. However, the median penetration depth was 16.9&nbsp;μm, which was two orders of magnitude lower than median vessel diameter. Results suggest the system can assist surgeons in performing safe vessel avoidance during neurosurgical procedures

As novas tecnologias e a rotura do processo pedagógico

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio