Measuring attitudes about mathematics: using a semantic differential

At all educational levels, students’ attitudes towards mathematics are important, including elementary and junior and senior high school preservice teachers’. In this study, a semantic differential (rating scale) was administered to four different groups of students in order to ascertain their attitudes toward mathematics. The four groups included preservice elementary and high school teachers; and liberal education college and high school students. Semantic differential enabled the researchers to distinguish diversity in groups’ attitudes. Findings in this study show that the high school students assessed exhibit the most negative attitudes towards mathematics, whereas preservice elementary teachers reported more positive attitudes towards mathematics than previous research in this area has indicated

Galcanezumab in episodic migraine: subgroup analyses of efficacy by high versus low frequency of migraine headaches in phase 3 studies (EVOLVE-1 & EVOLVE-2).

BACKGROUND: Patients with high-frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) have a greater disease burden than those with low-frequency episodic migraine (LFEM). Acute treatment overuse increases the risk of migraine chronification in patients with HFEM. Galcanezumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody binding calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is effective for migraine prevention with a favorable safety profile. Here, we investigate whether there are differences in galcanezumab efficacy in patients with LFEM or with HFEM. METHODS: Data were pooled from two double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials; EVOLVE-1 and EVOLVE-2. Patients were 18-65 years old, experienced 4-14 monthly migraine headache days (MHDs) for ≥1 year prior, with onset at \u3c 50 years of age. Migraine headaches were tracked via electronic patient-reported outcome system and randomization was stratified by low (LFEM; 4-7 monthly MHDs) or high (HFEM; 8-14 monthly MHDs) frequency. Subgroup analysis compared the HFEM and LFEM subgroups with a linear or generalized linear mixed model repeated measures approach. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat patients (N = 1773) had a mean age of 41.3 years, were mostly white (75%), female (85%), and 66% of patients had HFEM. In both the LFEM and HFEM subgroups, the overall (Months 1-6) and monthly changes from baseline in monthly MHDs and monthly MHDs with acute medication use compared with placebo were statistically significantly reduced for galcanezumab 120-mg and 240-mg. Galcanezumab (120-mg and 240-mg) significantly decreased the overall and monthly MHDs with nausea and/or vomiting, and with photophobia and phonophobia versus placebo in patients with LFEM or HFEM. In both subgroups, the mean overall (Months 1-6) and monthly percentages of patients with ≥50%, ≥75%, and 100% reduction in monthly MHDs from baseline were statistically significantly greater in patients receiving either dose of galcanezumab versus placebo. Galcanezumab (120-mg and 240-mg) significantly improved the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire role function-restrictive domain score as well as the Migraine Disability Assessment total score versus placebo for patients with LFEM or HFEM. There were no significant subgroup-by-treatment interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Galcanezumab was as effective in patients with HFEM as in those with LFEM. Associated symptoms, quality of life, and disability were similarly improved in patients with HFEM or LFEM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02614183 , NCT02614196

Cómo apoyar al cuidador de un enfermo en el final de la vida

El cuidador de un enfermo en el final de la vida debe ser objeto de una especial protección por parte de la comunidad, no sólo porque es el último eslabón de una cadena de solidaridad sino también porque necesita diversos apoyos para ayudar al que sufre un padecimiento progresivo a sobrellevar mejor esta etapa, a reencontrarse consigo mismo y a afrontar la muerte en paz. Para que ello suceda, el equipo sanitario deberá reconocerle como parte de un triángulo terapéutico – familia– paciente y equipo– y ser sensible a sus problemas, manteniendo una actitud preactiva en todo momento para ayudarle a comunicarse bien con el enfermo, a formarse para su cuidado, a prevenir y resolver sus numerosos problemas, entre ellos el agotamiento, y a darle el apoyo de una red socio-sanitaria que le permita también satisfacer sus propias necesidades físicas y emocionales sin aislarse de sus otros seres queridos.The one who takes care of a patient during the end of his life, must be especially protected by its community, not only as he is the last and stronger link of a chain of solidarity but because will also need social support in order to take care the one who is suffering, this will allow him to endure this process, facing his own reality and enabling to face death in peace. For these objectives to be reached, the health team must recognize the caregiver as a part of a therapeutic triangle in which family– the patient– and physician– are one unit; maintaining all the time a constant proactive attitude to communicate with the patient, through a process of education that improves his caring skills, identifying and resolving potential problems and defining strategies that would satisfy care giver’s needs with the support of a social – sanitary network

Metaphors and Mathematical Identity: Math is Like a Tornado in Kansas

Mathematical identity is an individual’s concept of who he or she is mathematically. In this paper, metaphors for mathematics from elementary education majors are compared to metaphors created by secondary mathematics teaching majors. The analysis demonstrates a basic difference in the mathematical identity of the two groups, with the latter group having more holistic conceptions of mathematics than the first group. Elementary education majors describe mathematics as an ongoing struggle in which the mathematics is active, and they are the victims. The secondary teaching mathematics majors describe mathematics as an ongoing struggle in which they are active

Popular Cultural Portrayals of Those Who Do Mathematics

This article examines the popular cultural portrayals of mathematicians, but also anyone who does mathematics. Themes occurring in comic strips, television programs, literature, and, especially, in the movies are examined. Implications discussed include that secondary students are not going to be willing to do mathematics, if doing mathematics is not presented as a cultural activity

Elementary Education Majors’ Stories About Math: An Analysis of Students’ Mathematics Autobiographies

This paper analyzes 52 preservice elementary education majors’ mathematical autobiographies. Participants wrote about their previous experiences with mathematics. Three themes emerged: (1) My previous teachers have played a significant role in the formation of my mathematical identity. (2) I want to help my future students understand, enjoy, and appreciate mathematics. And (3) Mathematics has its ups and downs. Although directed to define mathematics, many participants did not do so. The remaining participants described mathematics as needed for everyday life, as problem solving, or as a study

Rapid Intrapreneurship with a Human Touch

The pace of change in digital organisations necessitates the adoption of rapid innovation practices. While rapid innovation is typically reactive to external uncertainties and shocks, firms that are capable of generating internal disruptions and innovating quickly can gain a competitive edge. This research investigates the role of intrapreneurship in promoting rapid innovation within an organisation's proprietary framework, employing an employee-led, human-centric approach. To explore this concept, the qualitative case study approach will be utilised, with MoMo, Vietnam's leading E-Wallet, serving as a prime example of an organisation that has successfully implemented such practices. Through an analysis of MoMo's internal processes and culture, this research aims to uncover the factors that contribute to the success of intrapreneurial endeavours and rapid innovation within digital organisations

Prevalence of caries and gingivitis in 2- to 4-year-old children attending daycare centers managed by the Chilean National Kindergartens Board (JUNJI) and municipal schools, Valdivia.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of carious lesions and gingivitis in 2- to 4-year-old children attending JUNJI daycare centers and urban municipal schools in the city of Valdivia, Chile. Material and method: Descriptive cross-sectional study. A population of 182 two-year-old children and 285 four-year-old children were examined. Subjects were selected by stratified random sampling. All subjects were enrolled in daycare centers managed by JUNJI and municipal schools in the city of Valdivia. An oral examination was performed to measure the DMFT and hemorrhagic indexes according to the WHO diagnostic criteria. The presence of cavitated carious lesions and gingivitis was determined, resulting in descriptive statistics according to age and gender. Results: The prevalence of caries was 12.6% in two-year-old children and 41% in four-year-olds, respectively. The prevalence of gingivitis was 36.8% at 2 years of age and 70.5% at 4 years. There were no significant differences by gender at 2 years of age (p=1) or at 4 years (p=0.37). Two year-old children have significantly fewer carious lesions and gingivitis less frequently than four-year-olds (p=<.001). Conclusion: Two year-old children have a lower prevalence of carious lesions and gingivitis than four-year-old ones. No relationship between the variables and gender was found

Rapid Intrapreneurship with a Human Touch

The pace of change in digital organisations necessitates the adoption of rapid innovation practices. While rapid innovation is typically reactive to external uncertainties and shocks, firms that are capable of generating internal disruptions and innovating quickly can gain a competitive edge. This research investigates the role of intrapreneurship in promoting rapid innovation within an organisation\u27s proprietary framework, employing an employee-led, human-centric approach. To explore this concept, the qualitative case study approach will be utilised, with MoMo, Vietnam\u27s leading E-Wallet, serving as a prime example of an organisation that has successfully implemented such practices. Through an analysis of MoMo\u27s internal processes and culture, this research aims to uncover the factors that contribute to the success of intrapreneurial endeavours and rapid innovation within digital organisations

Introduction: Documenting variation in endangered languages

National Foreign Language Resource Cente