The Distance learning in the teacher qualification system in Morocco

The spread of the Coronavirus has led to close the teacher training centers and triggered distance learning (DL). This situation constitutes a point reflection regarding the DL role in the qualification process of teachers in Morocco. Meta-analysis of official documents has been applied to characterize the DL infrastructures already in place. Results reveal a considerable gap between expectations and achievements. This alternative training can contribute to the qualification. However, its status reflects a very low level of recognition and the curricula remain incompatible with the desirable.

MS-NET: modular selective network

We propose a modular architecture of Deep Neural Network (DNN) for multi-class classification task. The architecture consists of two parts, a router network and a set of expert networks. In this architecture, for a C-class classification problem, we have exactly C experts. The backbone network for these experts and the router are built with simple and identical DNN architecture. For each class, the modular network has a certain number $$\rho$$ ρ of expert networks specializing in that particular class, where $$\rho$$ ρ is called the redundancy rate in this study. We demonstrate that $$\rho$$ ρ plays a vital role in the performance of the network. Although these experts are light weight and weak learners alone, together they match the performance of more complex DNNs. We train the network in two phase wherein, first the router is trained on the whole set of training data followed by training each expert network enforced by a new stochastic objective function that facilitates alternative training on a small subset of expert data and the whole set of data. This alternative training provides an additional form of regularization and avoids over-fitting the expert network on subset data. During the testing phase, the router dynamically selects a fixed number of experts for further evaluation of the input datum. The modular nature and low parameter requirement of the network makes it very suitable in distributed and low computational environments. Extensive empirical study and theoretical analysis on CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100 and F-MNIST substantiate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed modular network.

Resident Doctors’ Perception of Virtual Meetings as Alternative Training Platform during Covid-19 Pandemic in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

The prevention of COVID-19 infection spread brought about the concept of physical distancing and a resultant suspension of physical meetings. This posed a threat of interruption to the academic aspects of residency training and an alternative online teleconferencing was employed. The study assessed the perception of Resident Doctors’ on Virtual Meetings as an alternative training platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the limitations of accessing this method of training in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire to obtain information on bio-data, participation/ knowledge, perception and challenges of virtual meetings from all consenting Resident Doctors at the Federal Medical Centre Bida Niger State. Results One hundred and eight resident doctors participated in the study. There was an increased Residents’ participation in virtual meeting by 28.6% with the advent of COVID-19. A greater percentage (79.9%) of the respondents agreed that online meeting is a new innovation in residency training and 80% agreed it was a welcome idea for training. 53.7% agreed it would prevent an interruption in training while 73.7% want virtual meetings to continue after lockdown restrictions are relaxed. The major challenges identified by respondents were poor internet service (94%), lack of institutional internet facility (81%), Poor power supply (62%), and Distraction by calls/ads (58%). Virtual meetings have temporarily replaced traditional physical meetings and has been a major step to avoid programme interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has effectively served the functions of physical meetings and should continue after the pandemic restrictions are relaxed despite its attendant challenges.

Effects of a Traditional versus an Alternative Strengthening Exercise Program on Shoulder Pain, Function and Physical Performance in Individuals with Subacromial Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A manual shoulder-training device may represent an alternative training device to improve symptoms and function in patients with subacromial shoulder pain by strengthening the external rotators. Thus, we examined the effects of a traditional versus an alternative strengthening exercise program on shoulder pain/function and physical performance in individuals with subacromial shoulder pain. Fifty-six adults with subacromial shoulder pain were randomly assigned to a passive control group (CON; n = 20), a traditional training group (TRA; n = 19), or an alternative training group (ALT; n = 17). Both training groups conducted a progressive home-based strengthening exercise program for the external rotators for eight weeks using elastic bands only (TRA group) or in combination with the shoulder-training device (Schulterhilfe®) (ALT group). Pre- and post-training assessment included measures of shoulder pain/function (i.e., shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI)) and physical performance (i.e., shoulder flexibility, maximal isometric strength, and strength endurance). We found significant test × group interactions in most of the investigated variables. Post hoc analyses showed significant training-related improvements for proxies of shoulder pain/function, shoulder flexibility, maximal isometric strength, and strength endurance in favor of the ALT and TRA group in comparison to the CON group. Further, larger and more frequent effects were found for the ALT compared to the TRA group. Measures of shoulder pain/function and physical performance can be significantly improved by both training regimens in individuals with subacromial shoulder pain. However, strength training using elastic bands with the manual shoulder device (ALT group) as compared to elastic bands (TRA group) only was more effective and may thus be a recommendable alternative in order to mitigate subacromial shoulder pain.