Robots for inclusive classrooms: a scoping review

Robot-based activities have been proven to be a valuable tool for children with learning and developmental disabilities. However, their feasibility in general educational environments needs further exploration. This scoping review provides a critical examination of robot-based learning experiences involving children with disabilities, implemented either in mainstream schools or in specialized centers in order to gain insight into their potential to support inclusion. For this purpose, a search was conducted in the multidisciplinary Scopus and WoS databases, completed with Dialnet database. Based on PRISMA guidelines for literature reviews, we limited the systematic analysis to 33 papers published after 2009 that contain information on the instructional design and details of how the activities were implemented. On the other hand, studies reporting interventions with robots for clinical purposes were excluded as well as papers focused exclusively on technical developments. Content analysis shows that most experiences lead to improvements in terms of educational goals and/or stakeholders’ satisfaction. However, the analysis also reported issues that may hinder the adoption of these practices in general classrooms and integrated education services. The reported difficulties include the lack of stability and autonomy of the robots used, the need for aids and adaptations to enable children with sensory and physical impairments to interact easily with the robots, and the requirement of technical support with system’s setup, implementation and maintenance. We conclude that robots and robotics are a powerful tool to address the needs of diverse learners who are included in mainstream classrooms. This review aims at presenting evidences of good practices and recommendations for successful implementation.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Estudio de las variaciones mineralógicas y morfológicas en cenizas volantes provocadas por fenómenos de lixiviación

In this study, three Fly Ashes (FA) from Spanish Power Plants with CaO contents between 2-30% in weight were examined. They were leached using a variation on EPA-EP leaching test, checking the influence of the leaching process on FA. Leaches were analyzed by ICP. XRD and SEM-EDX technique were used to analyze the leached FA. The study carried out was mainly centered in following the evolution of the most soluble elements and the formation of new secondary crystalline phases. The relationship between dissolution pH and the percentage of the extracted element was also confirmed.La investigación se realiza en tres cenizas volantes españolas con contenidos de CaO entre 2-30% en peso. Para observar el proceso de lixiviación en estos subproductos industriales se lleva a cabo un ensayo similar al descrito por la EPA-EP. Las aguas lixiviadas se analizan por la técnica ICP, mientras que los residuos se caracterizan por difracción de rayos X y SEM-EDX. El estudio se centra en el seguimiento de los elementos más solubles, según la metodología aplicada, y en la formación de nuevas fases cristalinas secundarias. Además, se confirma la relación existente entre el pH de la disolución y el porcentaje de elemento extraído

Internet search and navigation strategies used by experts and beginners

This paper presents three pilot studies whose purpose was to analyse the way different users (experts and beginners) go about searching for specific information, both on the Internet in general and in a thematic web site in particular. It discusses the role of prior knowledge in achieving the search objectives, and highlights the differences in task completion due to the use of approaches of varying levels of strategic development

The embedding problem for Markov matrices

Characterizing whether a Markov process of discrete random variables has a homogeneous continuous-time realization is a hard problem. In practice, this problem reduces to deciding when a given Markov matrix can be written as the exponential of some rate matrix (a Markov generator). This is an old question known in the literature as the embedding problem [11], which has been solved only for matrices of size 2 × 2 or 3 × 3. In this paper, we address this problem and related questions and obtain results along two different lines. First, for matrices of any size, we give a bound on the number of Markov generators in terms of the spectrum of the Markov matrix. Based on this, we establish a criterion for deciding whether a generic (distinct eigenvalues) Markov matrix is embeddable and propose an algorithm that lists all its Markov generators. Then, motivated and inspired by recent results on substitution models of DNA, we focus on the 4 × 4 case and completely solve the embedding problem for any Markov matrix. The solution in this case is more concise as the embeddability is given in terms of a single condition.Characterizing whether a Markov process of discrete random variables has a homogeneous continuous-time realization is a hard problem. In practice, this problem reduces to deciding when a given Markov matrix can be written as the exponential of some rate matrix (a Markov generator). This is an old question known in the literature as the embedding problem [11], which has been solved only for matrices of size 2 × 2 or 3 × 3. In this paper, we address this problem and related questions and obtain results along two different lines. First, for matrices of any size, we give a bound on the number of Markov generators in terms of the spectrum of the Markov matrix. Based on this, we establish a criterion for deciding whether a generic (distinct eigenvalues) Markov matrix is embeddable and propose an algorithm that lists all its Markov generators. Then, motivated and inspired by recent results on substitution models of DNA, we focus on the 4 × 4 case and completely solve theembedding problem for any Markov matrix. The solution in this case is more concise as the embeddability is given in terms of a single condition

Virtual simulation for last-year nursing graduate students in times of COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary to adapt university health-education. Virtual simulation has been proposed to be a suitable tool. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on nursing students in the final year. The virtual simulation platform vSim® was used. Improvements in knowledge, skills during simulation, satisfaction and self-confidence obtained through the training provided were analyzed, as well as satisfaction with the platform. Results Pre-post training knowledge improved. Skill acquisition improved between the first and last attempts in all cases. The levels of self-confidence and satisfaction with the training and the platform used were high. Conclusions: The vSim® was a useful solution during the pandemic. Knowledge improved and high self-confidence was obtained

Thin silicon films ranging from amorphous to nanocrystalline obtained by Hot-Wire CVD

In this paper, we have presented results on silicon thin films deposited by hot-wire CVD at low substrate temperatures (200 °C). Films ranging from amorphous to nanocrystalline were obtained by varying the filament temperature from 1500 to 1800 °C. A crystalline fraction of 50% was obtained for the sample deposited at 1700 °C. The results obtained seemed to indicate that atomic hydrogen plays a leading role in the obtaining of nanocrystalline silicon. The optoelectronic properties of the amorphous material obtained in these conditions are slightly poorer than the ones observed in device-grade films grown by plasma-enhanced CVD due to a higher hydrogen incorporation (13%)

Defining the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in COPD: a systematic literature review

COPD is characterized by a pulmonary and systemic inflammatory process. Several authors have reported the elevation of multiple inflammatory markers in patients with COPD; however, their use in routine clinical practice has limitations. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a useful and cost-effective inflammatory marker derived from routine complete blood count. We performed a systematic literature review using the PRISMA statement. Twenty-two articles were included, recruiting 7,601 COPD patients and 784 healthy controls. Compared with controls, COPD patients had significantly higher NLR values. We found a significant correlation between the NLR and clinical/functional parameters (FEV1, mMRC, and BODE index) in COPD patients. Elevation of the NLR is associated with the diagnosis of acute exacerbation of COPD (pooled data propose a cut-off value of 3.34 with a median sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of 80%, 86%, and 0.86, respectively). Additionally, increased NLR is also associated with the diagnosis of a bacterial infection in exacerbated patients, with a cut-off value of 7.30, although with a low sensitivity and specificity. The NLR is an independent predictor of in-hospital and late mortality after exacerbation. In conclusion, the NLR could be a useful marker in COPD patients; however, further studies are needed to better identify the clinical value of the NLR

Mixed methods en la investigación de la actividad física y el deporte

La lógica del procedimiento científico se ha desarrollado tradicionalmente desde planteamientos dicotómicos, y uno de los más influyentes fue la radical oposición entre paradigma cuantitativo vs. paradigma cualitativo. A finales del siglo XX irrumpe con fuerza la corriente de mixed methods, que ya no podemos considerar emergente, a pesar de que sigue creciendo con fuerza, porque está ya estabilizada. Su avance ha sido desigual en función de los ámbitos de conocimiento, y en el de actividad física y deporte ha sido relativamente tardía, pero últimamente está dando magníficos frutos. En este articulo se presenta la panorámica actual relativa a las etapas del proceso de investigación, relativa a diseños, como planificación empírica estratégica del problema de estudio, recogida de datos, que abarca un arco de diferentes posibilidades que hasta hace poco se hallaban en liza, y de análisis de datos, que nos conducte a planteamientos no esperables hace pocos años. Nos hallamos en un momento de especial potencial de desarrollo metodológico en el marco de los mixed methods, y este articulo trata de impulsar las iniciativas en este sentido.Scientific methods have traditionally been based on dichotomous approaches, one of the most influential being radical opposition between quantitative and qualitative paradigms. However, the end of the twentieth century saw the emergence of mixed research methods; an approach that has since become well established and which continues to gain ground. To varying degrees, different branches of knowledge have turned to mixed research methods, with the field of physical activity and sports science being relatively slow in adopting this approach. Now, however, it is beginning to bear magnificent fruit and this paper shows how it is starting to become a reality in research into physical activity and sport. We describe the current state of mixed research methods in terms of different stages in the research process, namely: the design process, entailing a strategic empirical approach to the research issue; the data collection process, where researchers can turn to a range of methods which hitherto rivalled one another; and the data analysis process, where the options that are now available would not even have been foreseen a few years ago. There is now great potential for methodological development within the framework of mixed methods, and this paper seeks to encourage researchers to grasp this opportunity.A lógica do procedimento científico foi desenvolvida tradicionalmente a partir de planeamentos dicotómicos, e um dos mais influentes foi a radical oposição entre o paradigma quantitativo e o paradigma qualitativo. Em finais do século XX assiste-se à emergência dos mixed methods, apesar de continuar a crescer em força. O seu progresso tem sido inconstante em função dos âmbitos de conhecimento, e relativamente à actividade física e ao desporto tem sido relativamente tardio, sendo que ultimamente tem dado magníficos frutos. Neste artigo apresenta-se a panorâmica actual relativa às etapas do processo de investigação, aos delineamentos, como a planificação empírica estratégica da problemática em estudo, recolha de dados, que abarca um espectro de diferentes possibilidades que até há pouco tempo se encontravam em falta, e de análise de dados, que nos conduz a planeamentos não antes expectáveis. Encontramo-nos num momento de especial potencial de desenvolvimento metodológico relativamente aos mixed methods, e este artigo procura impulsionar as iniciativas neste sentido

Oxygen consumption and lipoxygenase activity in isolated tomato fruit chromoplasts

This Study using purified tomato fruit chromoplasts has shown significant rates of oxygen consumption even in the absence of external precursors. Oxygen consumption rates increased up to 7-fold when chromoplast samples were incubated for 24 h at room temperature. This increase in oxygen consumption is most likely due to the activation of lipoxygenase in the chromoplasts