Teaching Mathematics Based on Graphic Management in Problem Solving Topics

Problem solving is a very important skill in mathematics that students need to master. These skills require logical thinking, deep understanding, mastery of concepts and making connections with existing knowledge. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of graphic management -based mathematics teaching in problem-solving topics. This study uses a qualitative research approach with a case study design involving one study participant. Participants of the study were randomly selected among year 3 students with a moderate level of Mathematics proficiency. To collect data, graphic management of “Four Corners and A Diamond” and semi -structured interview sessions were conducted. Data collection from graphics management was analyzed descriptively and these interviews were analyzed inductively to obtain specific themes based on the transcripts. Findings of the study show that with this graphic management, students can organize information from questions in the form of appropriate graphics and facilitate their understanding. The implication of this study is that students can solve mathematical problems through the arrangement of information correctly based on the graphic management of "Four Corners and A Diamond". This study can also encourage teachers to use graphic management in helping students to solve non-routine mathematics problems more conceptually.

Economic burden and catastrophic health expenditure associated with COVID-19 hospitalisations in Kerala, South India

Introduction - Catastrophic health expenditure during COVID-19 hospitalization has altered the economic picture of households especially in low resource settings with high rates of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to estimate the Out of Pocket (OOP) expenditure and the proportion of households that incurred catastrophic health expenditures due to COVID-19 hospitalisation in Kerala, South India. Materials and Methods - A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of 155 COVID-19 hospitalised patients in Kottayam district over four months, using a pretested interview schedule. The direct medical and non-medical costs incurred by the study participant during hospitalisation and the total monthly household expenditure were obtained from the respective COVID-19 affected households. Catastrophic health expenditure was defined as direct medical expenditure exceeding 40% of effective household income. Results - From the study, median and mean Out of Pocket (OOP) expenditures were obtained as USD 93.57 and USD 502.60 respectively. The study revealed that 49.7% of households had Catastrophic health expenditure, with 32.9% having incurred Distress financing. Multivariate analysis revealed being Below poverty line, hospitalisation in private healthcare facility and presence of co-morbid conditions as significant determinants of Catastrophic health expenditure. Conclusion - High levels of Catastrophic health expenditure and distress financing revealed by the study unveils major unaddressed challenges in the road to Universal health coverage.

KOLABORASI DALAM PENGHASILAN INOVASI PENGAJARAN

Kolaborasi adalah elemen penting ketika penghasilan inovasi. Dalam kepelbagaian kekangan yang dihadapi ketika menghasilkan inovasi, kolaborasi dapat membantu memudahkan proses tersebut. Namun, apakah bentuk kolaborasi yang biasa dijalinkan oleh guru inovatif di sekolah ketika menghasilkan inovasi? Persoalan ini menarik untuk diterokai. Kajian ini dijalankan menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dengan reka bentuk kajian kes. Data dikutip melalui temu bual terhadap lapan peserta kajian daripada lapan sekolah berbeza di tiga buah negeri. Peserta kajian dipilih menggunakan kaedah persampelan bertujuan. Empat kriteria ditetapkan, iaitu; 1) menghasilkan inovasi pengajaran, 2) memenangi pertandingan inovasi sekurang-kurangnya di peringkat negeri, 3) tidak lokek berkongsi maklumat tentang kolaborasi ketika menghasilkan inovasi, dan 4) mudah didekati dan memberikan kerjasama. Data dianalisis menggunakan aplikasi Nvivo 12 Plus. Perbandingan antara data satu peserta kajian dengan peserta kajian lain dibuat agar dapat membentuk tema yang tepat. Dapatan menunjukkan terdapat tujuh bentuk kolaborasi dijalinkan oleh peserta kajian, iaitu kolaborasi dengan pelajar, rakan guru, pentadbir, IPT, pasangan, syarikat dan upah. Kolaborasi guru inovatif tidak terhad bersama rakan guru dalam ahli panitia sahaja, bahkan turut merangkumi pelbagai pihak yang mempunyai kepakaran, pengetahuan dan alatan yang diperlukan ketika menghasilkan inovasi. Dapatan ini dapat memberi impak kepada pentadbir sekolah dalam merangka program kolaborasi antara guru di sekolah mereka dengan sekolah lain dan turut membuka ruang kepada kolaborasi dengan agensi luar daripada pendidikan agar inovasi yang dihasilkan mencapai piawaian yang lebih tinggi dan berkualiti. Selain itu, kolaborasi dengan pelajar juga perlu digalakkan kerana pelajar adalah golongan pengguna yang akan menerima impak langsung daripada inovasi pengajaran yang dihasilkan. Collaboration is an important element when generating innovation. In the variety of constraints faced when producing innovations, collaboration can help facilitate the process. However, what is the common form of collaboration forged by innovative teachers in schools when producing innovations? This question is interesting to explore. This study was conducted using qualitative method with case study design. Data were collected through interviews of eight study participants from eight different schools in three states. Study participants were selected using purposive sampling method. Four criteria were set, namely; 1) produce instructional innovations, 2) win innovation competitions at least in the state level, 3) not stingy in sharing information about collaboration when producing innovations, and 4) approachable and can collabore. Data were analyzed using the Nvivo 12 Plus application. Comparisons between the data of one study participant with other study participants were made in order to form an accurate theme. The findings show that there are seven forms of collaboration established by the study participants, namely collaboration with students, teacher colleagues, administrators, HEIs, spouses, companies and wages. These findings show that the collaboration of innovative teachers is not limited to fellow teachers in the committee members only, but also includes various parties who have the expertise, knowledge and tools needed when producing innovations. These findings can have an impact on school administrators in designing collaboration programs between teachers in their schools and other schools and also open space for collaboration with agencies outside of education field so that the innovations produced achieve higher standards and quality. In addition, collaboration with students should also be encouraged because students are the users who will receive a direct impact from the teaching innovations produced.

Associations between Depression, Nutritional Status and Mediterranean Diet in Dalmatian Kidney Transplant Recipients

Depression has been addressed as a predictor of worse outcomes in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Nutritional status plays a great role in treatment of this population. The Mediterranean diet (MeDi) has been associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the rate of depression and its correlations to nutritional status and dietary habits according to the MeDi in Dalmatian KTRs. We included 115 KTRs, and data about body composition and anthropometric, laboratory and clinical parameters were obtained for each study participant. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms and the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) was used to assess adherence to the MeDi. We found the presence of depressive symptoms in 21.73% of the Dalmatian KTRs. BDI-II score was reciprocally associated with fat mass, trunk visceral fat, anthropometric parameters of obesity, triglyceride levels and olive oil consumption. Inverse associations were found between BDI-II score and skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, MCV, hemoglobin levels and consumption of fish and white meat, as suggested by the MeDi. Our results showed the interconnections between nutritional status, dietary habits and depression in Dalmatian KTRs.

Study Protocol Document forPONE-D-21-18427R2 (Prevalence and Predictors of GMD among PLWH on cART) v1

This is a document that states about sample size calculation, study participant recruitment, interview and medical record data extraction sheet, sample collection, processing and storage until lab analysis. Moreover, it states about how Glucose Metabolism Disorders (GMD) is determined with specific forms of GMDs.

An Exploration on Trust

“Trust is a form of love,” explained a study participant. As a form of love, trust nourishes connections and accelerates progress. As a result, the purpose of this session is to reflect upon the notion of trust and examine how trust moves science and social justice forward. Trust must be seen as sustained or broken over multiple generations. Moreover, trust between older adults and medical and social support institutions has profound implications for this historical moment. In the COVID-19 pandemic, trust can be viewed as a facilitator of emergency responses in the State of Washington as noted in Dr. Berridge’s paper. On the other hand, distrust and a related sense of abandonment contributes to Black Americans' limited uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations, as noted in Dr. Johnson’s work. On a related note, Dr. Perry’s work shows that lack of trust over time has led those aging with hemophilia to withdraw from care at different points in their own trajectories. Finally, on a positive note, Dr. Kotwal’s work illustrates the role of a peer outreach intervention in facilitating trusting relationships among diverse, low-income older adults which led to sustained reductions, over a 2-year period, in loneliness, barriers to socializing, and depression. This symposium on trust highlights how researchers work, either consciously or unconsciously, within a continuum of trust in their participants' communities. At a broader level, systemic attention to building trust from academia, government, and national advocacy organizations holds the potential to foster meaningful scientific engagement and empowerment of historically marginalized communities.

Experiencing recent missionary evacuations: Traumatic stress and loss as social networks break down

Although missionary evacuations have occurred since the beginning of missions, little research has explored modern missionary evacuations. In this qualitative study, the author analyzes the experiences of four missionaries who made unplanned departures from their Asian host country in 2018. Although each study participant had different demographic characteristics and their story was unique, common elements of the evacuation experience were shared: growing uneasiness, mounting stress, the decision to evacuate, a sudden exit, and waves of transition. The most traumatic aspect throughout the experience was the severe disruption of their relationships. Factors contributing to the breakdown of social networks included surveillance and scrutiny, searches and interrogations, contact tracing, the compromising of digital communication channels, and the final exit. The traumatic effects of the breakdown of social networks highlight the critical importance of relationships in the life and work of missionaries, particularly during crises. Understanding how evacuations are experienced enables the wider Church—which is preparing, sending out, and receiving missionaries back—to better care for its missionaries and contribute to their restoration and healing from trauma.

A Two-Minute Walking Test With a Smartphone App for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: Validation Study

Background Walking disturbances are a common dysfunction in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 2-Minute Walking Test (2MWT) is widely used to quantify walking speed. We implemented a smartphone-based 2MWT (s2MWT) in MS sherpa, an app for persons with MS. When performing the s2MWT, users of the app are instructed to walk as fast as safely possible for 2 minutes in the open air, while the app records their movement and calculates the distance walked. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the MS sherpa s2MWT. Methods We performed a validation study on 25 persons with relapsing-remitting MS and 79 healthy control (HC) participants. In the HC group, 21 participants were matched to the persons with MS based on age, gender, and education and these followed the same assessment schedule as the persons with MS (the HC-matched group), whereas 58 participants had a less intense assessment schedule to determine reference values (the HC-normative group). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were determined between the distance measured by the s2MWT and the distance measured using distance markers on the pavement during these s2MWT assessments. ICCs were also determined for test-retest reliability and derived from 10 smartphone tests per study participant, with 3 days in between each test. We interviewed 7 study participants with MS regarding their experiences with the s2MWT. Results In total, 755 s2MWTs were completed. The adherence rate for the persons with MS and the participants in the HC-matched group was 92.4% (425/460). The calculated distance walked on the s2MWT was, on average, 8.43 m or 5% (SD 18.9 m or 11%) higher than the distance measured using distance markers (n=43). An ICC of 0.817 was found for the concurrent validity of the s2MWT in the combined analysis of persons with MS and HC participants. Average ICCs of 9 test-retest reliability analyses of the s2MWT for persons with MS and the participants in the HC-matched group were 0.648 (SD 0.150) and 0.600 (SD 0.090), respectively, whereas the average ICC of 2 test-retest reliability analyses of the s2MWT for the participants in the HC-normative group was 0.700 (SD 0.029). The interviewed study participants found the s2MWT easy to perform, but they also expressed that the test results can be confronting and that a pressure to reach a certain distance can be experienced. Conclusions The high correlation between s2MWT distance and the conventional 2MWT distance indicates a good concurrent validity. Similarly, high correlations underpin a good test-retest reliability of the s2MWT. We conclude that the s2MWT can be used to measure the distance that the persons with MS walk in 2 minutes outdoors near their home, from which both clinical studies and clinical practice can benefit.