Russell Swinburne Romine, Jonathan Schuster, Meagan Karvonen
et al.
This paper describes large, fine-grained, intentionally inclusive, research-based cognitive models called learning maps. Learning maps are the product of an intensive research synthesis process to develop formal learning models that better reflect the diversity of how learners can learn and be assessed on academic content. Students begin at different places and learn at different rates, and they may have cognitive disabilities or may face a variety of barriers that pose challenges when learning content. Learning maps provide numerous starting points and pathways by which students can acquire and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and understandings. Our work in developing learning maps relies on principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which provides a foundation of flexibility and inclusivity to accommodate students with a wide range of cognitive, linguistic, physical, and sensory profiles. In this paper, we describe learning map design, development, and both qualitative and quantitative methods for the evaluation of map structure. In addition, we offer reflections on our experiences with implementing learning maps as the cognitive architecture for assessments and educational interventions through our work on a variety of projects. With examples from these projects, we describe evidence that shows how learning maps can be useful tools for improving instruction and assessment for all learners. We identify areas where further research and inquiry could prove fruitful and conclude with a discussion of potential areas of extension and offer suggestions for the ongoing refinement of learning maps.
As scholars who study the educator workforce serving students with disabilities, we have long appreciated the role of Teacher Education and Special Education (TESE), as the premier journal addressing critical issues facing the special education workforce. We are deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as the next editors of TESE. The purpose of this article is to introduce readers to our editorial vision.
Vassana Supapongsri, Ananya Sahathippayakul, Wanchat Sirisarn
et al.
Two novel species of Penicillium, comprising P. chanthaburiense sp. nov. and P. buranakarlianum sp. nov., were isolated from mangrove sediment collected at the King Rama IX International Mangrove Botanical Garden in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Morphological characterization combined with multilocus phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (TUB), calmodulin (CaM), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes placed P. chanthaburiense sp. nov. as a new member of section Exilicaulis, series Erubescentia, while P. buranakarlianum sp. nov. was assigned to section Lanata-Divaricata, series Janthinella. In addition, this study reports the first record of P. danzhouense from mangrove sediment in Thailand. Diagnostic morphological and molecular features distinguishing these taxa from their closest phylogenetic relatives are presented. These findings enrich the taxonomic framework of Penicillium and contribute to the understanding of fungal biodiversity in mangrove ecosystems. Furthermore, P. chanthaburiense sp. nov. exhibited antibacterial activity against several clinically relevant Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), highlighting the potential of mangrove-derived Penicillium species in antimicrobial research.
The instability of economic processes fuels the inconsistency of the revenue flow to the budget system. In order to overcome the cyclical nature of the budget process, which depends on cyclical fluctuations of economic conditions, fiscal rules are actively applied worldwide. The purpose of the study is to assess the countercyclical effect of the budget rules in force in Russia. The theory of economic cycles constitutes the methodological basis of the research. The paper employs structural, logical and comparative analysis, elaboration, scientific generalisation, and correlation analysis. The evidence is the data obtained from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia for 2000–2023. The paper examines business cycles in Russia, as well as the cycles of revenues and expenditures of the consolidated budget, the cycles of formation and use of Russian sovereign wealth funds over the indicated period. The correlation analysis found that the revenues of the consolidated budget of Russia are procyclical with the correlation coefficient of the budget revenues and GDP growth rates equal to 0.8029. The procyclical nature of the budget expenditures has decreased due to the fiscal rules applied since 2004 with the correlation coefficient of the budget expenditures and GDP growth rates amounting to 0.5223. However, the procyclical nature of budget expenditures has not been overcome completely. Among them only the procyclical nature of healthcare expenditures has been reduced, while budget expenditures on education and housing and utilities keep on being significantly and to a greater extent dependent on the fluctuations of economic conditions. The paper proposes invoking the principle of fixed expenditures when applying budget rules, which assumes avoiding a decrease in budget expenditures compared to the previous year, calculated at comparable prices.
The COVID-19 pandemic which started in China in 2019, was originally described as a public health emergency of intercontinental concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020. Due to its speedy rate of spread, the WHO then declared it a pandemic after 6 weeks. The global spread of COVID-19 has been attributed to the high mobility between and within countries. Having noted the wide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every country affected, developed strict and restrictive public health measures to control the spread of the virus. Such measures included restrictions on country borders and social gatherings. Hence, the main purpose of the paper was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in relation to religion, health and poverty in Harare urban communities as well as determining solutions to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors. The research methodology was qualitative in nature. Primary data were collected through in-depth telephone interviews and online open-ended questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to select the study participants. The findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered and exposed the inequalities in health. The pandemic also had a strong impact on religious activities and it exacerbated poverty levels as well. Those who had all the access to medication, food and vaccinations during the height of COVID-19 may not fully appreciate the impact that poverty coupled with pandemics left on their communities both religiously and socially. Malnutrition, hunger and sickness were the order of the day among the poor.
Contribution: The conclusion was that COVID-19 negatively impacted on the health, religious and social sectors. Therefore, it is critical to maintain preventive and curative services, especially for the most vulnerable populations such as children, older persons, and people with disabilities.
Mikaela Jasmin F. Dacillo, Jhoana Katrina M. Dizon, Earl Johann T. Ong
et al.
IntroductionThe ubiquity of online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic induced the widespread use of videoconferencing applications. However, the prolonged use of these applications can lead to videoconferencing fatigue. Drawing from an online survey sample of 215 senior high school students from a selected private university in Manila, Philippines, this mixed methods study examines videoconferencing fatigue and its relationship with online student engagement (OSE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and methodsThis study utilized a convergent triangulation research design. The quantitative strand was cross-sectional in nature. The constructs were measured using the Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale and Online Student Engagement Scale. Bivariate and multivariate statistical tests were used to determine the significance of the relationships between variables. The qualitative strand utilized a descriptive design. Narrative data were collected through an open-ended survey question and analyzed using content analysis.ResultsQuantitative results indicate moderate to high levels of videoconferencing fatigue among student respondents. Moreover, higher levels of OSE were observed among those who endured higher visual fatigue and attended videoconferences more days a week. Qualitative findings demonstrate various manifestations of videoconferencing fatigue among students and relate it with decreased energy to perform academic tasks and learning absorption. However, the qualitative analysis also reveals students’ perceived need for videoconferencing to learn online.DiscussionThe nuanced insights from both strands highlight that despite their perceived negative impacts of videoconferencing, students had to tolerate visual videoconferencing fatigue in order to engage meaningfully in online classes.
La transformación que ha experimentado la Educación Superior durante los últimos veinte años ha supuesto numerosos cambios en los modelos formativos de las asignaturas de todas las titulaciones de las universidades españolas, públicas y privadas. Entre las metodologías educativas más frecuentes, el aprendizaje colaborativo ha cobrado una notable relevancia como estrategia potencial para impulsar el papel activo del estudiantado como agente crítico, reflexivo y responsable en su proceso de aprendizaje y adquisición de contenidos curriculares, así como en su desarrollo personal e interpersonal. En este sentido, el equipo docente del presente estudio asume el reto de diseñar e implementar en el contexto universitario una experiencia de innovación docente, en la asignatura de Psicología de la Educación incluida en al segundo curso del Grado en Psicología de la Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH) durante el curso 2021-22, y conocer la opinión del estudiantado. En este trabajo se presenta la estrategia de “Aprendizaje Colaborativo” unido a la utilización de e-rúbricas de autoevaluación y coevaluación a través de las Tecnologías de las Información, la Comunicación y el Ocio (TICO), tanto en la teoría como en la práctica de esta asignatura, justificando el interés de esta experiencia, presentando las bases que la sustentan, así como el desarrollo y procedimiento de la dinámica y evaluación durante el cuatrimestre. Finalmente, se realiza una valoración de la experiencia por parte del estudiantado, y se reflejan las limitaciones halladas en su implementación y las líneas de investigación-acción futuras.
<List> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>● Impacts of 30 cropping systems practiced on the North China Plain were evaluated.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>● Trade-offs were assessed among productive, economic and environmental indicators.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>● An evolutionary algorithm was used for multi-objective optimization.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>● Conflict exists between productivity and profitability versus lower ground water decline.</p></ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent><p>● Six strategies were identified to jointly mitigate the trade-offs between objectives.</p></ItemContent></ListItem></List></p> <p>Since the Green Revolution cropping systems have been progressively homogenized and intensified with increasing rates of inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and water. This has resulted in higher crop productivity but also a high environmental burden due to increased pollution and water depletion. To identify opportunities for increasing the productivity and reducing the environmental impact of cropping systems, it is crucial to assess the associated trade-offs. The paper presents a model-based analysis of how 30 different crop rotations practiced in the North China Plain could be combined at the regional level to overcome trade-offs between indicators of economic, food security, and environmental performance. The model uses evolutionary multi-objective optimization to maximize revenues, livestock products, dietary and vitamin C yield, and to minimize the decline of the groundwater table. The modeling revealed substantial trade-offs between objectives of maximizing productivity and profitability versus minimizing ground water decline, and between production of livestock products and vitamin C yield. Six strategies each defining a specific combination of cropping systems and contributing to different extents to the various objectives were identified. Implementation of these six strategies could be used to find opportunities to mitigate the trade-offs between objectives. It was concluded that a holistic analysis of the potential of a diversity cropping systems at a regional level is needed to find integrative solutions for challenges due to conflicting objectives for food production, economic viability and environmental protection.
Michel Friedrich, Ezequiel Farrher, Svenja Caspers
et al.
BackgroundIn glioma patients, multimodality therapy and recurrent tumor can lead to structural brain tissue damage characterized by pathologic findings in MR and PET imaging. However, little is known about the impact of different types of damage on the fiber architecture of the affected white matter.Patients and methodsThis study included 121 pretreated patients (median age, 52 years; ECOG performance score, 0 in 48%, 1-2 in 51%) with histomolecularly characterized glioma (WHO grade IV glioblastoma, n=81; WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytoma, n=28; WHO grade III anaplastic oligodendroglioma, n=12), who had a resection, radiotherapy, alkylating chemotherapy, or combinations thereof. After a median follow-up time of 14 months (range, 1-214 months), anatomic MR and O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) PET images were acquired on a 3T hybrid PET/MR scanner. Post-therapeutic findings comprised resection cavities, regions with contrast enhancement or increased FET uptake and T2/FLAIR hyperintensities. Local fiber density was determined from high angular-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging and advanced tractography methods. A cohort of 121 healthy subjects selected from the 1000BRAINS study matched for age, gender and education served as a control group.ResultsLesion types differed in both affected tissue volumes and relative fiber densities compared to control values (resection cavities: median volume 20.9 mL, fiber density 16% of controls; contrast-enhanced lesions: 7.9 mL, 43%; FET uptake areas: 30.3 mL, 49%; T2/FLAIR hyperintensities: 53.4 mL, 57%, p<0.001). In T2/FLAIR-hyperintense lesions caused by peritumoral edema due to recurrent glioma (n=27), relative fiber density was as low as in lesions associated with radiation-induced gliosis (n=13, 48% vs. 53%, p=0.17). In regions with pathologically increased FET uptake, local fiber density was inversely related (p=0.005) to the extent of uptake. Total fiber loss associated with contrast-enhanced lesions (p=0.006) and T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions (p=0.013) had a significant impact on overall ECOG score.ConclusionsThese results suggest that apart from resection cavities, reduction in local fiber density is greatest in contrast-enhancing recurrent tumors, but total fiber loss induced by edema or gliosis has an equal detrimental effect on the patients’ performance status due to the larger volume affected.
Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
In order to be successful in an increasingly competitive environment, today every sports organization has to face challenges, which are increasingly difficult to anticipate with accuracy, a fact that causes management to care more and more about performance. The strategic approach to the management of a sports organization has as its starting point the fact that sport has become, in the current era, a complex phenomenon with economic, political and social connotations. We have focused the study on the analysis of financial management strategies and practices used by top sports clubs in Europe, as this is where the highest turnover is obtained in the field of football, highlighting the factors that led to the advantages or disadvantages of applying such strategie.
El presente escrito invita a reflexionar sobre las necesidades y los retos que la época actual deja latentes, a partir de las realidades y las situaciones emergentes a las que la sociedad se enfrenta hoy, tal es el caso de la pandemia causada por el virus responsable de la COVID-19, la cual ha encauzado a necesarios replanteamientos de los sistemas educativos y se han transformado las formas de mediación e interacción que se desarrollan en los diferentes ecosistemas de aprendizaje. A partir del actual escenario, surgen interrogantes sobre ¿cómo sostener la calidad educativa considerando los cambios que se presentan de forma acelerada?, y, por otro lado, ¿cómo crear consciencia en los profesionales de la docencia sobre un necesario replanteamiento de la profesión docente?, la cual les permita transformar esos escenarios de incertidumbre y retos a los que se enfrentan en oportunidades para la mejora de su quehacer. En relación con lo dicho, el ensayo realizará un análisis en varias temáticas conexas a la calidad educativa y la búsqueda de nuevas metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje (EA) para la formación integral, las implicaciones de los actores educativos involucrados con la calidad de la educación para atender las necesidades socio educativas que emergen y el replanteamiento de la profesión docente desde una visión disruptiva, la cual sugiere transformar los retos y las exigencias que se experimentan en oportunidades, haciendo posible que se pase de ser un formador a un agente autogestor de mejoras e impulsor de metodologías activas que garanticen la formación integral y competente de la ciudadanía.
This study follows the design and development of an educational digital game, Tales of Iona, which was designed to be used to promote understanding of the ancient Scottish island of Iona in upper primary or early secondary schools. The game was designed to combine clear pedagogical principles of teaching History with the best of contemporary digital gaming technology. The intention of the game is to engage players in an immersive virtual environment where their interactions with characters, artefacts and historic events through a series of puzzles will develop their understanding of the historical importance of the island of Iona and spark curiosity to learn more about the past. A Design-based Research (DBR) approach was used in this study and the data was collected on a trial day of the prototype of the game. The data was collected from a small sample of players (aged 10-14 years), using methods of questionnaires, interviews and Video Commentary Capture Model (VCCM) to record gameplay and meta-cognition. Analysis of the findings led to improvements to the game design and gave an insight into the way players learn through digital game playing. Conclusions were drawn to the way the game promoted substantive knowledge of the historical context and stimulated further historical enquiry.
As an inhibitor of ethylene receptors, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) can delay the ripening of papaya. However, improper 1-MCP treatment will cause a rubbery texture in papaya. Understanding of the underlying mechanism is still lacking. In the present work, a comparative sRNA analysis was conducted after different 1-MCP treatments and identified a total of 213 miRNAs, of which 44 were known miRNAs and 169 were novel miRNAs in papaya. Comprehensive functional enrichment analysis indicated that plant hormone signal pathways play an important role in fruit ripening. Through the comparative analysis of sRNAs and transcriptome sequencing, a total of 11 miRNAs and 12 target genes were associated with the ethylene and auxin signaling pathways. A total of 1741 target genes of miRNAs were identified by degradome sequencing, and nine miRNAs and eight miRNAs were differentially expressed under the ethylene and auxin signaling pathways, respectively. The network regulation diagram of miRNAs and target genes during fruit ripening was drawn. The expression of 11 miRNAs and 12 target genes was verified by RT-qPCR. The target gene verification showed that <i>cpa-miR390a</i> and <i>cpa-miR396</i> target <i>CpARF19-like</i> and <i>CpERF RAP2-12-like</i>, respectively, affecting the ethylene and auxin signaling pathways and, therefore, papaya ripening.
Shi-Long Jiang, Shi-Long Jiang, Zhi-Bin Wang
et al.
Vemurafenib, a BRAF V600E inhibitor, provides therapeutic benefits for patients with melanoma, but the frequent emergence of drug resistance remains a challenge. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying vemurafenib resistance may generate novel therapeutic strategies for patients with melanoma. Here, we showed that eIF3a, a translational regulatory protein, was an important mediator involved in vemurafenib resistance. eIF3a was expressed at significantly lower levels in vemurafenib-resistant A375 melanoma cells (A375R) than in parental A375 cells. Overexpression of eIF3a enhanced the sensitivity to BRAF inhibitors by reducing p-ERK levels. Furthermore, eIF3a controlled ERK activity by regulating the expression of the phosphatase PPP2R1B via a translation mechanism, thus determining the sensitivity of melanoma cells to vemurafenib. In addition, a positive correlation between eIF3a and PPP2R1B expression was also observed in tumor samples from the Human Protein Atlas and TCGA databases. In conclusion, our studies reveal a previously unknown molecular mechanism of BRAF inhibitor resistance, which may provide a new strategy for predicting vemurafenib responses in clinical treatment.
With the help of the auxiliary function method, we solved the improved Boussinesq (IBq) equation with fluid dynamic damping and the modified IBq (IMBq) equation with Stokes damping, and we obtained their three types of travelling wave exact solutions, which is an extension service of the numerical simulation and the existence of a solution. From the waveform diagram of IBq equation with hydrodynamic damping, it can be seen that when the propagation velocity of kink wave changes, the amplitude also changes significantly, and it is also found that the kink isolated waveform is significantly asymmetric due to the increase of damping coefficient v, which may be of some value in explaining some physical phenomena. In addition, the symbolic computing software maple makes our computing work easier.
Тамара Іванівна Коваль, Олена Петрівна Бесклінська
У статті розглядається використання засобів візуалізації для створення електронних ресурсів у процесі навчання математичних дисциплін у закладах вищої освіти. Особлива увага приділяється програмним засобам візуалізації математичних даних, які дозволяють представити числа, кількісні відношення, просторові об’єкти і процеси як абстрактні мультимедійні статичні або динамічні моделі, що імітують сутність предмета пізнання і на яких математичні дані можуть бути подані одночасно в комбінації різних форм: текстових, звукових, графічних, анімаційних, фото і відео. Встановлено, що при створенні електронних ресурсів для навчання математичних дисциплін з використанням засобів візуалізації навчального матеріалу доцільно дотримуватись таких основних принципів: когнітивної візуалізації, інформаційної насиченості, наочності, стиснення, повноти, цілісності сприйняття, достовірності, актуальності і точності математичних даних. Проведено аналіз програмних засобів візуалізації навчальних даних за такими характеристиками як вільно поширювальний програмний продукт, зручність і простота використання, багатий візуальний матеріал, інтеграція з системою управління навчанням Moodle і сервісами хмарних інформаційних технологій, зручність працювати на екранах будь-якого розміру: від смартфонів до комп’ютерів. Визначено спеціальне і загальне програмне забезпечення, що відповідає цим вимогам і застосування якого для наочного подання математичних даних дає змогу зробити складний навчальний матеріал зрозумілим і доступним для усвідомлення, представити його в організованому, компактному і концентрованому вигляді. Наведено приклади використання програмних засобів візуалізації математичних даних як спеціального (програма динамічної математики – GeoGebra), так і загального програмного забезпечення (MindMeister, Google таблиці, Screencast-o-matic, iSpring Suite, Draw.io Pro, RealTimeBoard, ThingLink) для створення мультимедійних моделей візуалізації математичних даних з використанням таких засобів, як таблиці, графіки, діаграми, інтелект-карти, навчальні фільми, інфографіка, мультимедійні презентації та інтерактивні плакати.
Apatsa Selemani, Winner Dominic Chawinga, Gift Dube
Abstract The study investigated postgraduate students’ knowledge of plagiarism, forms of plagiarism they commit, the reasons they commit plagiarism and actions taken against postgraduate students who plagiarise at Mzuzu University in Malawi. The study adopted a mixed methods approach. The quantitative data were collected by distributing questionnaires to postgraduate students and academic staff whereas qualitative data were collected by conducting follow-up interviews with some academics, an assistant registrar and assistant librarian. The study found that despite students reporting that they had a conceptual understanding of plagiarism, the majority of them reported that they had intentionally and unintentionally committed plagiarism, mainly due to pressure for good grades (86.7%), laziness and poor time management (84.9%), and lack of good academic writing skills (84.9%). The study also established that prevalent forms of plagiarism admitted (by students) and reported (by academic staff) to have been committed included lack of proper acknowledgement after paraphrasing (69.8%), summarising (64.1%) and using quotation marks (56.6%). The study further found that the common sanctions applied by academics include giving a warning and asking the student to re-write the plagiarised work. The study recommends that Mzuzu University should carry out awareness campaigns about the negative effects of plagiarism, targeting postgraduate students; and should introduce advanced academic writing skills training for postgraduate students.