A combination of transformative and authentic assessment through ICT in Physical Education (Combinando una evaluación auténtica y transformativa a través de las TIC en Educación Física)

This work analyses the results of an authentic assessment (AA) and transformative assessment (TA) experience and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Physical Education (PE) classes in high school. The experience involves the use of the Plickers application, and the participation of the students in the evaluation (self-evaluation and peer evaluation processes). This study was carried out in a high school from Spain, as part of a didactic dance unit, with 38 students (15th years old). The AA and TA task was for small groups of students to create a video tutorial of salsa steps as a final product of a dance teaching unit; were self-assessed and peer-assessed using Plickers. Experience was also evaluated. Results: the use of AA and TA processes in PE in high school based on the use of ICT has been a very positive experience. For the students the video tutorial is a good method of learning and assessment and they value positively the peer-assessment and self-assessment processes they carried out, as well as the use of the Plickers. This study can be interesting to PE teachers interested in using AA, TA and ICT. Further research about this topic may be need. Resumen. Este trabajo analiza los resultados de una experiencia de evaluación auténtica (EA) y evaluación transformativa (ET) que utiliza las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) en Educación Física (EF) en Educación Secundaria. La experiencia implica la utilización de la aplicación “Plickers” y la participación del alumnado en la evaluación (procesos de autoevaluación y de evaluación entre iguales). El estudio se desarrolla en un instituto de educación secundaria español, como parte de una unidad didácica de danza, con 38 alumnos de 15 años. Las actividades de EA y ET se realizaron en pequeños grupos, que crearon un video-tutorial de pasos de salsa como producto final de la unidad didáctica, el cual fue autoevaluado y coevaluado utilizando la aplicación “Plickers”. Se evaluó también toda la experiencia. Los resultados muestran que la utilización de procesos de EA y ET a través de las TIC en EF en secundaria ha sido una experiencia muy positiva. Los alumnos lo consideran un buen método de aprendizaje y evaluación y valoran positivamente los procesos de evaluación entre iguales y autoevaluación utilizados, así como el uso de “Plickers”. El estudio puede ser de interés para el profesorado de EF interesado en utilizar EA, ET y TIC. Parece necesario realizar más investigación sobre la temática.

An Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometric Method for the Determination of Toxic and Nutrient Metals in Spices after Pressure-Assisted Digestion

The aim of this study was to develop a simple and rapid inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric (ICP-OES) method for the determination of 17 metals (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl and Zn) in packaged spices. For this purpose, the spice samples (200 mg) in the form of powder were submitted to pressure-assisted wet-acid digestion with a mixture of 6 mL concentrated HNO3 and 1 mL H2O2. The proposed method was validated in terms of linearity, trueness, precision, limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs). Good method trueness, precision and linearity were observed for the examined elements. The LODs of the examined analytes ranged between 0.08 and 5.95 mg kg−1. The present method was employed for the analysis of twenty-two packaged commercially available spices including asteroid anise, clove, cardamon, cinnamon, curry, coriander, turmeric, cumin, white pepper, black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, red pepper, paprika, ginger, green pepper and pink pepper from the Greek market that are widely consumed. A wide variety of metal of different concentration ranges were determined in the samples.

Eficiência das Ferrovias Especializadas em Transporte de Minério de Ferro e Pelotas

ABSTRACT Objective: the objective is to compare the relative efficiency of the railways specialized in transporting iron ore (MFe) and pellets (PLMFe), which are part of the assets of mining companies and pellet plants considering the 2016 scenario. Methods: the methods used were the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique, with the application of the output-oriented constant returns scale (CRS) model; the initial combinatorial multicriteria method for choosing the input variables; and Tobit regression as a validation strategy for the DEA model. Results: of the twelve railways evaluated, three railways were identified as efficient: Estrada de Ferro Carajás, Fortescue, and Mount Newman. Conclusions: the applied model was considered a good method to evaluate the efficiency of railways specialized in transporting MFe and PLMFe, as it determined the efficiency of each railway, suggesting the necessary increase in the output variable or adjustments in the input variables so that the railways reach the efficiency frontier. With that, companies can use the results of this study to guide future improvements to make their railways more efficient or maintain them on the frontier of efficiency.

The Efficiency of Railways Specialized in Transporting Iron Ore and Pellets

ABSTRACT Objective: the objective is to compare the relative efficiency of the railways specialized in transporting iron ore (MFe) and pellets (PLMFe), which are part of the assets of mining companies and pellet plants considering the 2016 scenario. Methods: the methods used were the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique, with the application of the output-oriented constant returns scale (CRS) model; the initial combinatorial multicriteria method for choosing the input variables; and Tobit regression as a validation strategy for the DEA model. Results: of the twelve railways evaluated, three railways were identified as efficient: Estrada de Ferro Carajás, Fortescue, and Mount Newman. Conclusions: the applied model was considered a good method to evaluate the efficiency of railways specialized in transporting MFe and PLMFe, as it determined the efficiency of each railway, suggesting the necessary increase in the output variable or adjustments in the input variables so that the railways reach the efficiency frontier. With that, companies can use the results of this study to guide future improvements to make their railways more efficient or maintain them on the frontier of efficiency.

Ensemble Negatively-Charged Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Type-Ib Diamond Created by High Fluence Electron Beam Irradiation

Electron beam irradiation into type-Ib diamond is known as a good method for the creation of high concentration negatively-charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV−) centers by which highly sensitive quantum sensors can be fabricated. In order to understand the creation mechanism of NV− centers, we study the behavior of substitutional isolated nitrogen (P1 centers) and NV− centers in type-Ib diamond, with an initial P1 concentration of 40–80 ppm by electron beam irradiation up to 8.0 × 1018 electrons/cm2. P1 concentration and NV− concentration were measured using electron spin resonance and photoluminescence measurements. P1 center count decreases with increasing irradiation fluence up to 8.0 × 1018 electrons/cm2. The rate of decrease in P1 is slightly lower at irradiation fluence above 4.0 × 1018 electrons/cm2 especially for samples of low initial P1 concentration. Comparing concentration of P1 centers with that of NV− centers, it suggests that a part of P1 centers plays a role in the formation of other defects. The usefulness of electron beam irradiation to type-Ib diamonds was confirmed by the resultant conversion efficiency from P1 to NV− center around 12–19%.

Selection of a suitable viral DNA extraction method for Sheeppox virus in cell culture

A suitable method for the extraction of nucleic acids should be efficient, sensitive, rapid and simple. Moreover, ideally, good method should yield pure nucleic acid-free from any contaminant inhibitors. Several methods have been reported for viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) isolation but limited information is available on quick and simple isolation of Sheeppox virus (SPPV) genomic DNA in cell culture. In this study, the healthy Vero cells and primary lamb testis cells were infected with SPPV strains such as SPPV-Jaipur, SPPV-Ranipet and SPPV-Roumanian Fanar (RF) and harvested when it exhibited clear cytopathic effect (CPE) in culture. Four different DNA extraction methods i.e., (i) Phenol/chloroform/Isoamyl alcohol method, (ii) Cell lysis buffer method, (iii) Proteinase-k method, and (iv) commercial nucleic acid extraction kit was used to extract optimum yield of viral genomic DNA from clarified culture supernatant of harvested SPPV virus. The DNA sample was characterized using the Nanodrop spectrophotometer and agarose gel electrophoresis. Significantly (p<0.05) higher yield of SPPV genomic DNA was obtained in proteinase-k method which was about 3-5 times more than other methods. Among these methods, proteinase-k protocol was found to be comparatively very effective method in terms of yield of viral genomic DNA, and was free from PCR inhibitors.

The Comparison of Tree-Based Ensemble Machine Learning for Classifying Public Datasets

This study aims to determine the best methods of tree-based ensemble machine learning to classify the datasets used, a total of 34 datasets. This study also wants to know the relationship between the number of records and columns of the test dataset with the number of estimators (trees) for each ensemble model, namely Random Forest, Extra Tree Classifier, AdaBoost, and Gradient Bosting. The four methods will be compared to the maximum accuracy and the number of estimators when tested to classify the test dataset. Based on the results of the experiments above, tree-based ensemble machine learning methods have been obtained and the best number of estimators for the classification of each dataset used in the study. The Extra Tree method is the best classifier method for binary-class and multi-class. Random Forest is good for multi-classes, and AdaBoost is a pretty good method for binary-classes. The number of rows, columns and data classes is positively correlated with the number of estimators. This means that to process a dataset with a large row, column or class size requires more estimators than processing a dataset with a small row, column or class size. However, the relationship between the number of classes and accuracy is negatively correlated, meaning that the accuracy will decrease if there are more classes for classification.

Human and Children’s Rights in the Context of Education and School Mediation

There is common understanding among the member states of the UN on Human and Children’s Rights and that everyone has a right to life, liberty, and security of person. Children are entitled to special care. Social changes caused by migration or armed conflicts affect families and may have negative consequences on children’s welfare. Violent family structures are often transported into the schools. Evidence on school mediation and conflict resolution programs between peers seems to be a good method to teach children how to resolve conflicts peacefully. This paper also researches how such programs can contribute to a more conflict-free society.

Combined Transfibular and Anterior Approaches Increase Union Rate and Decrease Non-Weight-Bearing Periods in Ankle Arthrodesis: Combined Approaches in Ankle Arthrodesis

The transfibular approach is a widely used method in ankle arthrodesis. However, it is difficult to correct coronal plane deformity. Moreover, it carries a risk of nonunion and requires long periods of non-weight-bearing because of its relatively weak stability. We hypothesized that the transfibular approach combined with the anterior approach in ankle arthrodesis wound yield a higher fusion rate and shorter non-weight-bearing period. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results and postoperative complications in ankle arthrodesis using combined transfibular and anterior approaches in end-stage ankle arthritis. Thirty-five patients (36 ankles) with end-stage ankle arthritis were consecutively treated using ankle arthrodesis by combined transfibular and anterior approaches. The subjects were 15 men and 20 women, with a mean age of 66.5 years (46–87). Clinical results were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and the ankle osteoarthritis scale (AOS) preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Radiographic results were assessed with various radiographic parameters on ankle weight-bearing radiographs and hindfoot alignment radiographs. All clinical scores significantly improved after surgery. Union was obtained in all cases without additional surgery. Talus center migration (p = 0.001), sagittal talar migration (p < 0.001), and hindfoot alignment angle (p = 0.001) significantly improved after surgery. One partial skin necrosis, two screw penetrations of the talonavicular joint, and four anterior impingements because of the bulky anterior plate occurred after surgery. In conclusion, combined transfibular and anterior approaches could be a good method to increase the union rate and decrease the non-weight-bearing periods in ankle arthrodesis.